As a historian with a focus on international relations, I have a deep understanding of the League of Nations and its structure. The League of Nations was an international organization founded after World War I as part of the Treaty of Versailles. Its primary purpose was to maintain world peace and prevent future conflicts through collective security and disarmament. The League was established on January 10, 1920, and it was the first of its kind, setting a precedent for future international organizations such as the United Nations.
The permanent members of the League of Nations' Council were a group of influential nations that held significant power within the organization. These members were chosen based on their role in the war and their economic and military strength. However, it's important to note that the concept of "permanent members" as we understand it today, particularly in the context of the United Nations Security Council, is slightly different from the structure of the League of Nations. The League did not have a formalized structure of permanent members with veto power as the UN does; rather, it had a council composed of major powers and four non-permanent members elected for three-year terms.
Based on historical records, the initial permanent members of the League of Nations' Council were:

1. United Kingdom - A global power at the time, with a vast empire and significant influence.

2. France - Another major power, which played a central role in the war against Germany.

3. Italy - An ally during World War I, Italy was recognized for its military and economic contributions.

4. Japan - The only non-European member and a rising power in Asia with considerable influence.
The table you've provided seems to suggest changes in the composition of the permanent members over time, which is not entirely accurate for the League of Nations. The initial four members remained consistent throughout the existence of the League. However, there were indeed changes in the international landscape and the League's membership did evolve over time. For instance, the **Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)** joined later as a result of the League's invitation in 1934, following the USSR's participation in international affairs and its commitment to the principles of the League.
It's also worth mentioning that Germany was not initially a member of the League due to its role as the Central Powers' leader in World War I. However, after a period of diplomatic isolation, Germany was invited to join the League in 1926, and it did so later that year. This marked a significant shift in the League's composition and was an attempt to integrate Germany back into the international community.
The League of Nations, despite its noble goals, faced numerous challenges and was ultimately unable to prevent World War II. Its failures have been attributed to several factors, including the lack of the United States' membership, the League's inability to enforce its resolutions, and the rise of aggressive ideologies that it could not contain.
In summary, while the concept of "permanent members" in the League of Nations was not as rigid as it is in the UN, the initial core members were the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Japan. The USSR later joined as a significant member, and Germany's inclusion marked a notable change in the organization's history.
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Permanent Members of the CouncilPeriodPermanent Members1920-C1926United Kingdom, France, Italy, Japan1926-C1933United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan1933-C1934United Kingdom, France, Italy1934-C1937United Kingdom, France, Italy, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics2 more rowsread more >>