The League of Nations enjoyed mixed fortunes.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-4] Level 1 One mark for each relevant point; additional mark for supporting detail
2. [1] They addressed social and economic problems.
3. [1] The Refugee Committee looked after those who had been made homeless during the war.
4. [1] The Health Committee worked to reduce malaria and leprosy.
5. [1] The Economic and Financial Organization saved Austria from financial ruin.
6. [1] There was a Slavery Commission.
7. [1] There was a Drugs Commission.
8. [1] There was a Mandates Commission.
9. [1] The ILO worked to ban lead paint.
10. [1] There was a Permanent Court of International Justice.
11. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
12. [4-5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason
13. [4] The League succeeded in resolving the dispute over the Aaland Islands because the Swedes agreed to accept the judgement of the League. This went in favour of Finland but, even though many islanders wanted to be ruled by Sweden, the judgement was accepted and so the dispute came to an end.
14. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes reasons
15. [1] A dispute between Sweden and Finland.
16. [1] Sweden agreed to abide by the judgement of the League.
17. [1] Some safeguards were put in place to protect the islanders.
18. [1] It was agreed the islands should be demilitarised.
19. [1] Many islanders wanted to be ruled by Sweden.
20. [1] Finland had agreed cultural autonomy to the islands.
21. [1] Finland had good negotiators.
22. [1] Both countries were minor powers.
23. [1] There was no actual aggression in the conflict.
24. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
25. [1] Everyone accepted the League's decision.
26. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far'
27. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides
28. [4-6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides 5 to 6 marks
29. [4] Failure to bring about disarmament was a serious problem facing the League. Many countries were too worried about their defensive security and therefore refused to disarm. For instance, France was worried about the possibility of attack from Germany. Hitler had no intention of disarming and left the Disarmament Conference. Nations started to rearm rather than disarm and this made the outbreak of war more likely.
30. [4] The League faced other more serious problems. For instance, Britain and France undermined the League and prevented it from taking effective action against Mussolini over Abyssinia. They were concerned about the state of their own economies and did not want to impose sanctions. They were also afraid of pushing Mussolini closer to Hitler and therefore gave in to his aggression. Without their support, the League could do nothing.
31. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes
32. [1] Germany was angry because Germany had disarmed and other countries had not.
33. [1] Disarmament was discussed at the Disarmament Conference in 1932.
34. [1] It was debated whether every country should disarm to the same level as Germany.
35. [1] France was afraid of attack by Germany.
36. [1] Disarmament would only work if everyone did it.
37. [1] Some countries began to rearm.
38. [1] Germany left the Disarmament Conference.
39. [1] In February 1933 Germany started rearming secretly.
40. [1] In 1935 the Anglo-German Naval Treaty allowed the German navy to build up.
41. [1] In 1935 Hitler staged a massive public rally promoting German armed forces.
42. [1] In 1935 Hitler introduced conscription for the German armed forces.
43. [1] In 1936 Hitler remilitarised the Rhineland.
44. [1] The League was powerless to stop aggression.
45. [1] Japan invaded Manchuria and the League took little effective action.
46. [1] Italy invaded Abyssinia.
47. [1] Britain and France undermined the League.
48. [1] The Great Depression meant that many powers could not afford to disrupt their trade by taking sanctions.
49. [1] The structure of the League was a problem.
50. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
51. [1] The League was a disaster and no one took any notice of it.