The League of Nations grew out of the desire to avoid another cataclysm like World War I (1914–1918). WWI had been far more destructive and horrific than any other previous war, so the goal was to settle future disputes peacefully. Geneva, Switzerland, was the League headquarters.
One problem that weakened the League was the attitude of the United States. President Woodrow Wilson was the leading proponent of the League, and its creation was one of his Fourteen Points. However, Wilson failed to persuade the U.S. Senate to ratify the League, so America did not become a member.
The League had some limited success in the years after WWI by mediating a number of minor disputes in Europe. It also helped Austria with its economic crisis. It was also fairly munificent in providing aid to refugees.
By the 1930s, however, the League began to break down. Its biggest weakness was that it could not force great powers to accept its guidance or authority. For example, Japan occupied Manchuria in 1931 and withdrew from the League two years later. Also, Germany's Hitler and Italy's Mussolini ignored the League.
World War II (1939–1945) marked the end of the League of Nations.
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