世界史关键时刻·英语30篇（2）

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国际联盟：全球集体安全的首次尝试

Created in 1920 after World War I, the League of Nations aimed to prevent future wars through diplomacy, disarmament, and mutual aid.
Its Covenant required members to respect borders, settle disputes peacefully, and impose economic sanctions against aggressors.
The United States Senate refused to ratify membership, weakening the League’s authority and financial support from the start.
Despite this, the League successfully mediated minor border conflicts—like between Sweden and Finland—and improved refugee and health programs.
It established the International Labour Organization, setting global standards for working hours, child labor, and workplace safety.
However, it failed to stop Japan’s 1931 invasion of Manchuria, Italy’s 1935 attack on Ethiopia, or Germany’s rearmament in the 1930s.
Sanctions lacked enforcement: major powers often prioritized national interest over collective security when crises escalated.
The League’s reliance on unanimous decisions meant any single member could block action—undermining swift responses to aggression.
By 1946, it formally dissolved, transferring assets and ideals to the newly formed United Nations.
Historians now view it not as a failure, but as a crucial learning phase—testing concepts later refined in postwar international institutions.