Successes of the League of Nations
The League of Nations has been commonly regarded in history as a dismal failure. Although it did suffer major failures during the 1920s and 1930s, its successes must not be overlooked and its drive to wipe out world disease was taken on by the United Nations and continues today.
In the 1920s, the League was very successful in its work for a better world:
- took half a million PoWsPrisoners of War home
- helped Turkish refugees
- attacked slave traders and drug sellers
- supported measures against leprosy and malaria
It was also quite successful in settling border disputes:
- settled a dispute between Sweden and Finland over the Aaland Islands
- stopped a war between Greece and Bulgaria
However, when it was faced with a strong nation prepared to ignore it:
- Italy in 1923 over Corfu - the League could do nothing