An assembly established in 1920 under the Treaty of Versailles 1919 for the peaceful settlement of international disputes. Its name was coined by Lowes Dickinson. The Leagues 58 founder members including the United Kingdom and all members of the British Empire, and the League's first Secretary-General was Sir Eric Drummond (later 16th Earl of Perth; 1876-1952).
The League was weakened by the refusal of the USA to join and the withdrawal of several members during the 1930s, resulting in a failure to halt either Japanese or Italian aggression and rearmament. It achieved some successes, however, especially through the work of the International Labour Organisation and the International Court of Justice and in the administration of mandated territories. In 1946 its functions were transferred to the United Nations.
