Created in 1919 at the Versailles Peace Conference; aimed at providing for collective security through various procedures for peaceful settlements of disputes between nations; the outbreak of World War II brought its activities to an end; its powers and functions were entrusted to the United Nations in 1945; formally dissolved in 1946.

Collection received and created by the IISH from various sources, a.o. the League of Nations and the Labour and Socialist International (SAI/LSI).

Collection of processed and printed documents consisting of minutes of meetings of the Assembly; reports of the secretary-general; papers relating to conferences; minutes and reports of various commissions and committees, including the Permanent Mandates Commission, the Committee of enquiry for European Union, the Financial Committee, the Economic Committee, the Committee on Arbitration and Security and the Permanent Central Opium Board; subject files on the financial and political position of various countries and regions, child welfare, slavery, health and nutrition, dangerous drugs and other subjects; catalogues of publications and press clippings.