Influence of The British League of Nations Union in Promoting The League of Nations

Introduction

The British League of Nations Union (LNU) emerged as the largest and most influential organization within the British peace movement. By the mid-1920s, it had over a quarter of a million registered subscribers, and its membership eventually peaked at around 407,775 in 1931. However, by the 1940s, following the disappointments of the international crises of the 1930s and the descent into World War II, membership fell to about 100,000.

Influence of The British League of Nations Union in Promoting The League of Nations

The ideological flexibility of the LNU ensured that its campaigning efforts spread widely. A large volume of leaflets, flyers, and pamphlets, along with a monthly newspaper journal called Headway, which contained news and opinions on international affairs, were created. This literature reached local branches, churches, schools, Rotary Clubs, trade unions, Scout Troops, and Women's Institutes, although the teachings of the LNU were dominated by church congregations. By implementing this strategy, the British LNU gained a mass following. The LNU secured the support of churches, numerous youth groups, and schools, inspiring a young generation and ensuring future support for the League of Nations. Individual membership grew steadily throughout the 1920s and peaked in 1931 at just over 400,000. A total count of enrollments was kept, and by 1933 over 1 million British people had belonged to the movement at some point since its creation. Most joined through local branches, which ran study circles and organized public meetings. Branches were pivotal in gaining support for the League, representing local and regional communities' welcoming attitude towards the League and the international world. These branches demonstrated overwhelming effort and support for the League, with members of the public running branches across Britain and conducting various activities independently to garner support for the League of Nations.

The British LNU attended numerous war commemorations, with branches laying wreaths and ensuring their image was promoted. In 1933, the LNU supplied speakers for nearly 4,500 meetings in Britain. The organization implemented extensive efforts to make their propaganda symbolic and ritualistic from the start. In 1919, the LNU initiated the first 'League of Nations Day', scheduled for 11 November, the date of the Armistice signing the previous year, with a 'League of Nations Sunday' in churches two days earlier. The LNU hoped that schools would mark the occasion with special assemblies, including hymns, readings, and dramatic tableaux. This strategy was effective in cementing the League's ideals within the public consciousness, further solidifying its influence.

The Welsh LNU created daffodil days in 1922, raising between a quarter and a third of its income through these events. The sale of Wales' national flower demonstrated the LNU's work on a national scale. A report in the Western Mail noted that Wales' national flower had become the international flower of peace. This aligned brilliantly with the Welsh British LNU's aim of transforming Britons into “enlightened patriots,” balancing nationalist and internationalist views to persuade more people to join the cause and support the LNU.

Despite Helen McCarthy's statement that the LNU's gospel of universal participation was belied by the sociological reality of its membership, dominated by middle-class branch officers or super-wealthy patrons, it is evident that there were numerous branches in industrial areas such as Swansea. Even rural Ynys Mon had a significant number of branches, showcasing the British LNU's influence in promoting the League of Nations across different societal sectors (McCarthy, 2011).

Conclusion

In summary, to emphasize the significance of British support for the League of Nations, a nationwide survey called the peace ballot was held during 1934-35. It collected the public's opinion on the League of Nations at a time when British membership of the League was in question. The British LNU could boast that 11.8 million people responded to the ballot, and in Wales, 62.3% of the adult population (1,025,040) voted! This was a major success for the British LNU, even during hardships that would mark the beginning of the end for the League of Nations. The support was plausible, with between 10,000-15,000 people volunteering to canvass the ballot in Wales, once again demonstrating the support and interest in the League of Nations, thanks to the efforts of the British LNU.

References:

McCarthy, H. (2011). The British League of Nations Union, 1918-1945. Oxford University Press.