The fact that, with time, this League [of Nations]-which…
“The fact that, with time, this League [of Nations]-which was presumably designed by its founders to exist for all eternity-cannot be coupled with a Treaty the short term of which is inherent in its own weaknesses and impracticabilities, is a point which can perhaps be contested by today's interested parties, but which will one day be deemed a matter of course in history.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The League of Nations was intended as an eternal institution but its short‑term treaties revealed inherent weaknesses, making its eventual decline inevitable.
In simple terms: The League was built to last but its weak treaties doomed it.
Recognize that flawed foundations lead to collapse.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- international diplomacy
- policy making
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What structural flaws make institutions unsustainable?
- How can modern bodies avoid similar pitfalls?
The League’s failure also stemmed from lack of enforcement, not just treaty length.