The League helped Finland and Sweden settle Aland peacefully in 1921, but struggled to enforce its rules against Italy over Corfu in 1923.
Finland and Sweden disagreed over the Aland Islands. In 1921, the League decided that the islands would remain part of Finland, while protecting local language and self-government and restricting military use. Both states accepted the settlement, so the dispute ended without war.
The League also helped end a border conflict between Greece and Bulgaria in 1925. These successes show that it could keep disputes from becoming larger wars when countries accepted its involvement.
Corfu in 1923 exposed a different problem. After Italian officials were killed near the Greek-Albanian border, Italy's leader Mussolini bombarded and occupied the Greek island of Corfu. Greece appealed to the League. However, the dispute was handled through the Conference of Ambassadors, a separate body representing major Allied powers. Italy withdrew after Greece paid compensation.
The occupation ended, but Italy received payment after using force. This was coercion: using threats or force to make another country comply. The outcome weakened the idea that powerful members had to obey the same rules as everyone else. Compare Aland and Corfu: willing cooperation made a peaceful compromise possible; a powerful state resisting League involvement made fair enforcement harder.
Worked example: What counts as success at Corfu?
A student writes, "Corfu was a success because Italy left."
- Did the occupation end? Yes. Italy withdrew, which improved the immediate situation.
- Did the outcome discourage aggression? This is less convincing. Greece paid compensation to Italy after Italy had used force, and the League did not control the settlement.
- State what you mean by success, then weigh both outcomes. Ending the occupation did not necessarily mean the rules were enforced fairly.
Watch out for this
The League failed in the 1920s because Japan invaded Manchuria.
Manchuria was invaded in 1931. Use 1920s evidence for a 1920s question; discuss the 1930s in the outbreak chapters.
Check your understanding
Which judgement best fits Aland and Corfu?
- Aland proves the League could always control powerful aggressors.
- Corfu proves the League never settled a dispute.
- The League could mediate accepted settlements but struggled when a powerful state resisted collective rules.