Support Materials to accompany WJEC GCSE History Germany in Transition, c.1919-1947 The League of Nations Woodrow Wilson, President of America 3 Key Question: How strong was the League of Nations in the years following The Great War? Aim of the lessons To be able to • demonstrate good understanding of the purpose of the League of Nations • accurately describe the strengths and weaknesses of the League Woodrow Wilson’s League of Nations Key Facts 1 The setting up of the League of nations was one of Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points. 2 The main strength of the League was that it had been set up by the Treaty of Versailles. 3 The aim of the League was to settle disputes between countries peacefully. 4 Forty-two countries joined the League at the start with Britain and France being the main members. Although the League was President Wilson’s idea public opinion in America meant that it did not sign up to it. Russia did not join and Germany was not allowed to join. Without these three countries the League was seen as weak. 5 The League of Nations was based in Geneva, Switzerland, as it had remained neutral during the war 6 the League, under its Covenant, could do three things - these were known as its sanctions. • It could call on the states in dispute to sit down and discuss the problem in an orderly and peaceful manner • If the states failed to listen to the Assembly’s decision, the League could introduce economic sanctions • It could introduce physical sanctions. This meant that military force would be used to put into place the League’s decision. However, the League did not have a military force at its disposal and no member of the League had to provide one under the terms of joining - unlike the current United Nations “Practically the whole German nation was guilty of the crime of aggressive war conducted by brutal and bestial means...They must suffer for it.” Winston Churchill, speaking in 1918 “The Germans, if this government is elected, are going to pay every penny; they are going to be squeezed, as a lemon is squeezed, until the pips squeak.” Sir Eric Geddes (British politician), speaking in 1918 ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Does the source C suggest that the League of Nations was powerful when it came into existence? Moral Persuasion’ appeared in the British satirical magazine Punch in July 1920. What can I see? ‘Moral Persuasion’ appeared in the British satirical magazine Punch in July 1920. The rabbit says: "My offensive equipment being practically nil, it remains for me to fascinate him with the power of my eye." What is the message of this cartoon? To do this question, you need first to borrow two concepts from English: Denotation (what you see) Connotation (how it affects its audience) This cartoon – entitled ‘Moral Persuasion’ appeared in the British satirical magazine Punch in July 1920. The rabbit says: "My offensive equipment being practically nil, it remains for me to fascinate him with the power of my eye." Denotation A rabbit, representing the League of Nations. Connotation Rabbits are weak, and known for running away and hiding. Meaning The League is weak. This cartoon – entitled ‘Moral Persuasion’ appeared in the British satirical magazine Punch in July 1920. The rabbit says: "My offensive equipment being practically nil, it remains for me to fascinate him with the power of my eye." Denotation A snake, representing ‘international strife’ (i.e. war). Connotation Snakes are powerful and evil, and they eat rabbits. Meaning The League is too weak to expect it to be able to stop war. This cartoon – entitled ‘Moral Persuasion’ appeared in the British satirical magazine Punch in July 1920. The rabbit says: "My offensive equipment being practically nil, it remains for me to fascinate him with the power of my eye." Denotation The rabbit (knowing it has no weapons) is preparing to try to hypnotise the snake. Connotation IDIOCY! Snakes hypnotise their prey, and rabbits ‘freeze’ with fear – the rabbit is going to be killed. Meaning ‘Moral persuasion’ will never prevent war, and it will be the League which is destroyed. This cartoon – entitled ‘Moral Persuasion’ appeared in the British satirical magazine Punch in July 1920. The rabbit says: "My offensive equipment being practically nil, it remains for me to fascinate him with the power of my eye." Finally, always remember to look at: Origin (who drew it) Date (when it was published) This cartoon – entitled ‘Moral Persuasion’ appeared in the British satirical magazine Punch in July 1920. The rabbit says: "My offensive equipment being practically nil, it remains for me to fascinate him with the power of my eye." Origin An artist in the magazine Punch. Details A British comic/political magazine. Significance This cartoon shows the British felt the League would fail. This cartoon – entitled ‘Moral Persuasion’ appeared in the British satirical magazine Punch in July 1920. The rabbit says: "My offensive equipment being practically nil, it remains for me to fascinate him with the power of my eye." Date July 1920. Details Poland, Russia and Czechoslovakia were at war and the League could not stop it. Significance This showed the British public’s disappointment that the League seemed unable to stop war. This cartoon – entitled ‘Moral Persuasion’ appeared in the British satirical magazine Punch in July 1920. The rabbit says: "My offensive equipment being practically nil, it remains for me to fascinate him with the power of my eye." ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ What is the message of this cartoon? ‘The Gap in the Bridge’ was drawn by Leonard Ravenhill, for the British magazine Punch (December 1919). What can I see? What is the message of this cartoon? This cartoon is entitled: ‘the Gap in the Bridge’ The cartoon was drawn by Leonard Ravenhill, political cartoonist for the British magazine Punch, (10 December 1919). To do this question, you need first to borrow two concepts from English: Denotation (what you see) Connotation (how it affects its audience) This cartoon – ‘the Gap in the Bridge’ – was drawn by Leonard Ravenhill, political cartoonist for the British magazine Punch (10 December 1919). Denotation A bridge, representing the League of Nations, with the keystone missing. Connotation The bridge is not complete and will collapse without the keystone. Meaning The League is weak. This cartoon – ‘the Gap in the Bridge’ – was drawn by Leonard Ravenhill, political cartoonist for the British magazine Punch (10 December 1919). Denotation The keystone has USA on it. Connotation America has not yet joined the League of Nations. Meaning Without America as a member, the League will fail. This cartoon – ‘the Gap in the Bridge’ – was drawn by Leonard Ravenhill, political cartoonist for the British magazine Punch (10 December 1919). Denotation Under the bridge is a deep, dark chasm. Connotation If the bridge collapses, the world will fall into disaster. Meaning Without the League, there will be another war. This cartoon – ‘the Gap in the Bridge’ – was drawn by Leonard Ravenhill, political cartoonist for the British magazine Punch (10 December 1919). Denotation A sign says the Bridge was designed by Wilson, but ‘Uncle Sam’ is asleep. Connotation ‘Asleep’ has connotations of negligence/ blame/ uncaring-ness. Meaning America is being negligent/ hypocritical by failing to join. This cartoon – ‘the Gap in the Bridge’ – was drawn by Leonard Ravenhill, political cartoonist for the British magazine Punch (10 December 1919). Finally, always remember to look at: Origin (who drew it) Date (when it was published) This cartoon – ‘the Gap in the Bridge’ – was drawn by Leonard Ravenhill, political cartoonist for the British magazine Punch (10 December 1919). Origin Leonard Ravenhill, in the magazine Punch. Details A British political cartoonist making a comic/political comment. Significance It is criticising the American position/ delay in joining. This cartoon – ‘the Gap in the Bridge’ – was drawn by Leonard Ravenhill, political cartoonist for the British magazine Punch (10 December 1919). Date 10 December 1919. Details Three months BEFORE the US Senate finally voted to reject the Treaty and the League. Significance It is an attempt to shame the Senate into joining the League by prophesying disaster if it doesn’t. This cartoon – ‘the Gap in the Bridge’ – was drawn by Leonard Ravenhill, political cartoonist for the British magazine Punch (10 December 1919).
