Final answer:
The correct answer is option b) It was too weak to enforce its decisions and maintain peace.
Step-by-step explanation:
The League of Nations was envisioned as a platform for countries to diplomatically resolve disputes and maintain peace through the principle of collective security. Unfortunately, the League was too weak to enforce its decisions and prevent acts of aggression by member countries. This weakness manifested in various ways, including the failure to stop the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and the Italian invasions of Libya and Ethiopia. The League's inability to enforce meaningful sanctions led to questions about its effectiveness and deterrence power.
In the case of the United States, the League of Nations played a role in the country's shift toward isolationism following WWI. The U.S. Senate's reluctance to join the League, combined with a general wariness of entangling alliances, contributed to the U.S. pulling back from international commitments. The failure to effectively enforce the Treaty of Versailles and prevent German aggression under Hitler added to the notion that the League was ineffective, further fueling isolationist sentiments.
As a result of these collective failures, the League of Nations ultimately played a role in setting the stage for WWII, demonstrating that high ideals without the actual power to enforce them led to a lack of respect and fear of repercussions among aggressive nations.