Wilson and the Treaty of Versailles

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Wilson and the Treaty of Versailles

• 1919-1921

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Wilson returns to the U.S. in July, 1919

• Needs to get Senate approval of the Treaty
• 2/3 needed
• Several groups oppose the Treaty

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The Opposition

• Group 1- led by Republican Herbert Hoover
• considered the Treaty too harsh reparations
  impossible to pay and would lead to trouble in
  the future
• Group 2- did not like the new map of Europe-
  would lead to trouble
• Group 3- did not like the War Guilt Clause-
  Article 231
• Group 4- Reservationists- wanted to restrict
  U.S. participation in the League- Sen Henry Cabot
  Lodge-leader of this group

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Main Opposition

• Isolationists and Irreconcilables objected
  to the League of Nations believed that the U.S.
  would be forced to deal with other nations
  problems. Took George Washingtons idea of no
  permanent alliances

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League of Nations Covenant

• Did not recognize the Monroe Doctrine
• Did not recognize that member nations had
  authority over their own internal affairs
• Did not indicate that a member could withdraw
  from the League if it desired
• Did not recognize that the Congress had to
  approve any actions the U.S. might take in the
  League

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Wilsons Reaction

• Sept. 1919- Wilson went on a 8,000 mile tour
  made 35 speeches in 22 days explaining to the
  American people why the U.S. should join the
  League of Nations
• Oct. 1919- Wilson fell ill suffered a stroke
  partially paralyzed for 2 months
• Wilson did not want to compromise

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The Fate of the Treaty

• Nov. 1919- Treaty comes up for a vote
• Sen. Lodge introduces some reservations to the
  Treaty
• Wilson convinced Democrats to defeat the
  reservations
• Senate votes down the Treaty with reservations

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Second Attempt

• March, 1920- Wilson urged Senate to vote against
  Lodge reservations
• Treaty defeated
• May, 1920- Congress voted to end WWI Wilson
  vetoed it
• July,1921- U.S. formally ends war
• U.S. never joins the League of Nations

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