All questions of The League of Nations & International relations (1919-33 & 1933-39) for UPSC CSE Exam

The correct answer is option 'B', the Kellogg-Briand Pact.

The Kellogg-Briand Pact, also known as the General Treaty for Renunciation of War as an Instrument of National Policy, was an international agreement signed on August 27, 1928, by 65 countries. Its primary objective was to outlaw war as a means of resolving disputes between nations.

Below are the key points explaining the Kellogg-Briand Pact and its significance:

1. Background:
- The devastation caused by World War I led to a desire among nations to prevent future conflicts.
- French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand and U.S. Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg proposed a treaty to renounce war as a policy.

2. Aims of the Pact:
- The main aim of the pact was to eliminate the use of war as a tool for resolving international conflicts.
- The countries signing the treaty pledged not to use war or the threat of war in their relations with one another.

3. Prohibition of War:
- The pact stated that signatory nations would "condemn recourse to war for the solution of international controversies."
- It sought to establish peaceful means of dispute resolution, such as negotiation, arbitration, and judicial settlement.

4. Signatories:
- Initially, 15 countries signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact, including major powers like the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
- Eventually, a total of 65 countries joined the pact, representing a significant portion of the global community.

5. Limitations and Criticisms:
- The pact did not provide mechanisms for enforcement or specific penalties for non-compliance.
- Many countries, including some signatories, continued to engage in wars and conflicts despite their commitment to the pact.
- The enforcement of the pact remained largely ineffective, especially in the face of aggressive actions by countries like Japan, Italy, and Germany.

6. Legacy:
- Despite its limitations, the Kellogg-Briand Pact was a significant step towards the establishment of international norms against war.
- It laid the groundwork for the development of international law and institutions aimed at preventing conflicts, such as the United Nations.
- The pact reflected a growing recognition that war was not a viable solution to global problems and helped foster a global culture of peace and diplomacy.

In conclusion, the Kellogg-Briand Pact, signed in 1928 by 65 countries, aimed to outlaw war as a means of resolving disputes. While it lacked effective enforcement mechanisms, it played a crucial role in promoting the idea that peaceful means should be used to settle international conflicts.

The first major challenge to American isolationism in the 1930s was the Sino-Japanese war, which began after an incident at the Marco Polo Bridge near Peking on July 7, 1937. This event escalated into an undeclared war between China and Japan, challenging the United States' isolationist stance.

President Roosevelt promoted the "Good Neighbor Policy" in Latin America during the 1930s. This policy aimed at improving relations between the United States and Latin American countries by pledging nonintervention in their domestic affairs and advocating for cooperation and mutual respect.

The escalation of the Sino-Japanese war in 1937 was triggered by the incident at the Marco Polo Bridge near Peking (now known as Pei-p’ing) on July 7, 1937. This event marked the beginning of hostilities between China and Japan.

Appeasement was the policy pursued by Britain and France in the 1930s, where they sought to avoid war by accommodating Adolf Hitler's reasonable claims, believing that it would maintain peace.

President Roosevelt promoted the "Good Neighbor Policy" in Latin America during the 1930s. This policy aimed at improving relations between the United States and Latin American countries by pledging nonintervention in their domestic affairs and advocating for cooperation and mutual respect.

The League of Nations was established after World War I and served as a precursor to the United Nations. Its primary purpose was to resolve international disputes through diplomacy and mediation, rather than resorting to open warfare.

The League of Nations was officially dissolved on April 20, 1946, following the end of World War II and the establishment of the United Nations as its successor.

The primary reason for the Western powers' abandonment of Czechoslovakia at the Munich Conference was their military unpreparedness. They were not adequately prepared to defend Czechoslovakia against Germany, and this played a crucial role in their decision to appease Hitler rather than confront him militarily.

The primary reason for the Western powers' abandonment of Czechoslovakia at the Munich Conference was their military unpreparedness. They were not adequately prepared to defend Czechoslovakia against Germany, and this played a crucial role in their decision to appease Hitler rather than confront him militarily.

The Munich Pact, signed in 1938, involved the annexation of Czechoslovakia by Germany. This agreement allowed Germany to dismember Czechoslovakia without facing any military opposition from Western powers, marking a significant appeasement of Adolf Hitler's expansionist ambitions.

The League of Nations' primary reason for failure in preventing World War II was its inability to enforce its decisions and sanctions, leading to a loss of credibility and effectiveness as an international organization.

The League of Nations was founded based on President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points, which outlined his vision for a post-World War I world order that would promote diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution.

The Munich Pact, signed in 1938, involved the annexation of Czechoslovakia by Germany. This agreement allowed Germany to dismember Czechoslovakia without facing any military opposition from Western powers, marking a significant appeasement of Adolf Hitler's expansionist ambitions.

The Mukden Incident in 1931 involved Japan's invasion of Manchuria, which marked one of the early failures of the League of Nations to prevent aggression.

The League of Nations' failure to gain the participation of major powers like Germany, the United States, and the Soviet Union weakened its authority and contributed to its inability to prevent World War II.

The League of Nations aimed to solve disputes between member states through mediation and diplomatic means, serving as an early attempt at international cooperation.

The first major challenge to American isolationism in the 1930s was the Sino-Japanese war, which began after an incident at the Marco Polo Bridge near Peking on July 7, 1937. This event escalated into an undeclared war between China and Japan, challenging the United States' isolationist stance.

The chief goal of the Johnson Act of 1934 was to forbid American citizens from lending money to foreign countries that had not paid their past war debts. This legislation aimed to prevent the United States from becoming financially entangled in international conflicts.

Japan was one of the four permanent powers in the League of Nations, along with Britain, France, and Italy. These permanent members held significant influence within the organization.