GREAT DEPRESSION AND THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS. The Great Depression of 1930-33 meant people turned to extremist dictators such as Hitler and Mussolini, who were keen to invade other countries. This made it hard for the League to maintain peace. The League had some very ambitious plans and ideals – to stop war and make the world a better place.

1. CONTENT
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
GREAT DEPRESSION MAKING
THE LON WORK DIFFICULT
5

2. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – LEAGUE OF NATIONS – MR. D
THE EFFECTS OF THE GREAT
DEPRESSION
In 1929 the Wall Street Crash in the USA started an economic
depression in the entire world. Millions of people were thrown out of
work. This made the League’s work harder in many ways.

3. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – LEAGUE OF NATIONS – MR. D
TRADE BETWEEN COUNTRIES DECLINED
Countries like the USA were increasing tariffs on imports from
outside to protect their own industries and jobs.
This measure damaged their economic and diplomatic relations
with these countries.

4. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – LEAGUE OF NATIONS – MR. D
UNEMPLOYMENT WAS THE BIGGEST
PROBLEM
Every country in the capitalist world was affected, especially USA.
The unemployment levels were huge in Germany too, peaking 33%
of the workforce (6 million) in 1932.

5. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – LEAGUE OF NATIONS – MR. D
REDUCED INCLINATION FOR ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS
The Depression reduced inclination of League members to impose
economic sanctions.
World markets were shrinking and all countries wanted to maintain
their existing trade contacts.

6. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – LEAGUE OF NATIONS – MR. D
BROUGHT EXTREMISTS IN POWER IN GERMANY
The Nazis were committed to destroying Versailles Settlement.
Before the Wall Street Crash the Nazis were a fringe party polling
less than 3% of the vote.
As the recession deepened so the Nazis picked up support.

7. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – LEAGUE OF NATIONS – MR. D
ENCOURAGED MILITARISM IN JAPAN
The Japanese army appreciated how Japan’s survival depended
upon its overseas trade and, in 1931, decided to take the law into its
own hands.

8. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – LEAGUE OF NATIONS – MR. D
PUT PRESSURE ON GOVERNMENTS
The Depression put pressure on governments to cut expenditure to
balance the books.
Serious rearmament had to be delayed.
As a result League members lacked the military means to deal with
aggressors.

9. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – LEAGUE OF NATIONS – MR. D
PUT PRESSURE ON COUNTRIES
The Depression put pressure on countries to find new markets and
sources of raw materials.
One way this could be done was through colonisation or the
annexation of new territories, such as Manchuria (Japan) or
Abyssinia (Italy).