Home / IB DP History / IBDP History HL Paper 3 -Europe and the Second World War (1918–1949)- Exam-Style Questions
To what extent did the organization and structure of the League of Nations contribute to its failure? \([15]\)
Detailed solution
The League’s organization and structure contributed significantly to failure, although the Great Depression and the aggressive international climate of the \(1930\)s also mattered.
Several important powers either did not join or left the League at key points. The absence of the United States deprived it of a powerful member and weakened the effect of sanctions.
The League had no army and could not force major powers to follow its decisions. Its structure also made decision-making slow, as the Assembly required unanimity and permanent Council members had vetoes.
However, specialized agencies such as the International Labour Organization were not failures. The League was also undermined when states used bodies such as the Conference of Ambassadors instead.
The League was designed for a world committed to peace, but the \(1930\)s were dominated by aggressive powers including Germany and Italy. Therefore, structural weaknesses were serious, but they were made worse by international circumstances.
Evaluate the reasons for the defeat of the Axis powers in Europe in the Second World War. \([15]\)
Detailed solution
The Axis powers were defeated because they could not sustain a long war against the greater resources, strategic strength and economic mobilization of the Allies.
The Allies had the resources of the United States, Soviet Union and British Empire. Italy was militarily and economically weak, forcing Germany to overstretch its own resources in supporting its ally.
Hitler and Mussolini interfered in important military decisions. Axis strategic errors included overextension in the Mediterranean and North Africa, bombing British cities and industrial centres, and launching Operation Barbarossa before Britain had been defeated.
Germany’s declaration of war on the United States brought a major economic and military power into the conflict. Allied naval and air power, especially in the Battle of the Atlantic, became increasingly important.
The Soviet scorched-earth strategy and the opening of a second front through D-Day further weakened Germany. Allied war economies mobilized civilian populations more effectively, making Allied victory increasingly unavoidable.