Historical Dictionary of the League of Nations (Historical Dictionaries of International Organizations)

Created in 1919, shortly after World War I, the League of Nations was principally designed to put an end to war. But it went into hibernation when World War II broke out, and was formally wound up in 1946. Not having achieved its primary objective, it was deemed a failure. However, the many accomplishments it did realize certainly allows for arguments against this idea. During its two-decade existence, the League of Nations resolved and defused many conflicts and crises, as well as established a rapport among its members. It was also active in many other political, social, and technical fields, including minorities, refugees, human rights, labor, health, telecommunications, and supervision of former colonial territories, which had become mandates. Above all, the League of Nations proved to be training ground for the United Nations and the countless other organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, which now surround us. Just what the League of Nations was able to do during its brief but hectic career is summed up in this book. The dictionary section contains several hundred cross-referenced entries on its founders and supporters, its rather small staff and secretariat, the various subordinate or related organizations, and their overwhelming tasks. The historical background is described in the introduction and plotted year by year in the chronology while the bibliography points to further reading. Editor’s Foreword......Page 11 Preface......Page 13 Acronyms and Abbreviations......Page 15 Chronology......Page 17 Introduction......Page 37 The Dictionary......Page 65 Appendix AThe Covenant of the League of Nations......Page 239 Appendix B List of Member States......Page 253 Appendix C Secretaries-General......Page 255 Appendix D Budget of the League......Page 257 Appendix E Organization Scheme of the League of Nations......Page 259 Appendix F Organizations Linked to the League of Nations......Page 261 Appendix G The Organization of the Secretariat......Page 263 Bibliography......Page 265 About the Author......Page 307 "Historical Dictionary of the League of Nations contains several hundred entries on its founders and supporters, the league's rather small staff and secretariat, the various subordinate or related organizations, and their overwhelming tasks. The historical background is described in the introduction and plotted year by year in the chronology, and the bibliography provides reference sources for further reading."--Jacket