esperanto_story1-5, Exercise 1: Why did the League say no?

Model answer (check the details):

1. French opposition. Reason: French was the leading language of diplomacy and the French delegation feared a rival. Evidence that it was real: records of the debates and speeches, delegates' memoirs and later histories that name the French role. Weakness: later writers may repeat the claim without a primary source.

2. States feared a language no state controlled. Reason: governments tend to protect their own languages, and a neutral language could be seen as a loss of status or influence. Evidence: statements in debates, diplomatic notes, and the reasons given by other opposed delegations.

3. No practical case that it would work. Reason: the League had other priorities, and the practical benefits of teaching a new language in schools could not be shown. Evidence: reports of education committees, the cost estimates and the views of teachers.

Another possible reason: opposition to the movement's supporters or to its social aims.

Care: the reasons were probably mixed. Say "French opposition is well attested, and the other reasons are likely but less documented".