Joseph Louis Anne Avenol French diplomat, second Secretary General of the League of Nations Date of Birth: 09.06.1879 Country: France

1. Joseph Avenol: Second Secretary-General of the League of Nations
2. Deputy Secretary-General
3. Secretary-General: A Tumultuous Tenure
4. Appeasement and the League's Decline
5. The Fall of France and Avenol's Departure
6. Post-War Years

Joseph Avenol: Second Secretary-General of the League of Nations

Born in France, Joseph Avenol began his career as a diplomat in the French Ministry of Finance. In 1922, he joined the League of Nations, overseeing its financial affairs.

Deputy Secretary-General

In 1923, Avenol became Deputy Secretary-General of the League. As a representative of the French government, he played a key role in advocating for France's interests.

Secretary-General: A Tumultuous Tenure

In 1933, Avenol succeeded Eric Drummond as Secretary-General of the League. However, his tenure was marked by a series of challenges.

Appeasement and the League's Decline

During Avenol's leadership, Japan and Germany withdrew from the League. He pursued a policy of appeasement toward these aggressors, believing that it was necessary to prevent further defections. When Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935, Avenol prioritized preserving Italy's membership in the League over protecting Ethiopia.

The Fall of France and Avenol's Departure

As German forces entered Paris in 1940, Avenol pledged loyalty to the Vichy government and dismissed most League employees, including British staff. On August 31, 1940, he resigned as Secretary-General and left Geneva.

Post-War Years

Avenol's offer of services to the Vichy government was rejected. In 1943, he fled to Switzerland to avoid arrest by the Germans. He remained in Switzerland until his death in 1952 at the age of 73.