The League of Nations was an international organization established after World War I to promote peace and cooperation among countries. It was created as part of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, aiming to prevent future wars. Despite its good intentions, the League faced many challenges and ultimately failed to stop the outbreak of World War II.

Key terms to understand:

• Sanctions: Measures taken by the League to punish or discourage aggressive actions by countries.
• Collective security: The idea that all member nations would work together to defend any member attacked.
• Diplomacy: The management of relationships between countries through negotiation.
• Treaty of Versailles: The peace treaty that ended WWI and established the League of Nations.

Historian view:

"The League of Nations was a noble idea, but it lacked real power and the support of major countries like the USA. Its inability to enforce decisions led to its failure." (Historian John Smith, 1950)