Rejection of Internationalism 5.5: Analyze the United States rejection of internationalism, including postwar disillusionment, the Senate’s refusal to ratify the Treaty of Versailles, the election of 1920, and the role of the United States in international affairs in the 1920s.

Treaty of Versailles Constitution gives foreign policy powers to the President but requires the Senate to ratify all treaties Constitution gives foreign policy powers to the President but requires the Senate to ratify all treaties President Wilson was instrumental in drafting the Treaty of Versailles because he wanted the United States to become the leader of the League of Nations President Wilson was instrumental in drafting the Treaty of Versailles because he wanted the United States to become the leader of the League of Nations The Senate refused to ratify the treaty The Senate refused to ratify the treaty

Rejection of Treaty of Versailles Senators were concerned with the principle of collective security Senators were concerned with the principle of collective security Central principle of the League of Nations Central principle of the League of Nations Would require US to become involved in future military actions through the League without declaration of war by the Senate (against the Constitution) Would require US to become involved in future military actions through the League without declaration of war by the Senate (against the Constitution)

Rejection of Treaty of Versailles Rejection was a result of political partisanship. Rejection was a result of political partisanship. Republicans opposed ratification outright Republicans opposed ratification outright Democrat Wilson refused to compromise with Republicans Democrat Wilson refused to compromise with Republicans Wilson took his cause to the American people through a goodwill tour, attempting to secure election of Democratic Senators Wilson took his cause to the American people through a goodwill tour, attempting to secure election of Democratic Senators Wilson suffered a massive stroke during the tour that left him physically and mentally debilitated Wilson suffered a massive stroke during the tour that left him physically and mentally debilitated Goodwill tour failed to garner support and the Treaty of Versailles was never ratified Goodwill tour failed to garner support and the Treaty of Versailles was never ratified

Election of 1920 Became a referendum on the League of Nations Became a referendum on the League of Nations Democrats (James M. Cox) supported Wilson’s call to increase internationalism Democrats (James M. Cox) supported Wilson’s call to increase internationalism Republicans (Warren G. Harding) advocated a return to “normalcy” by pursuing isolation once again Republicans (Warren G. Harding) advocated a return to “normalcy” by pursuing isolation once again

Results of the Election of 1920 The American people supported WWI to “make the world safe for democracy” but were disillusioned by the brutality of the affair, the cost in human life and the post-war greed of the allies The American people supported WWI to “make the world safe for democracy” but were disillusioned by the brutality of the affair, the cost in human life and the post-war greed of the allies Republicans won in a landslide and the American people displayed their rejection of internationalism in favor returning to a policy of isolationism Republicans won in a landslide and the American people displayed their rejection of internationalism in favor returning to a policy of isolationism

US Economic Power Although the US rejected collective security, it continued to be the world’s economic leader Although the US rejected collective security, it continued to be the world’s economic leader Leading exporter of goods Leading exporter of goods Major creditor nation Major creditor nation World’s financial capital World’s financial capital Attempted to improve relations in Latin America through the Good Neighbor policy Attempted to improve relations in Latin America through the Good Neighbor policy

1920s Diplomacy Participated in several international conferences to reduce armaments and naval power Participated in several international conferences to reduce armaments and naval power Loaned money to European nations (including Germany) through the Dawes and Young Plans Loaned money to European nations (including Germany) through the Dawes and Young Plans Took a hands-off approach as dictators rose to power in Germany and Italy Took a hands-off approach as dictators rose to power in Germany and Italy Americans were too concerned with their own economic problems to worry about European political affairs Americans were too concerned with their own economic problems to worry about European political affairs Congress passed the Neutrality Acts to ensure that the US would not get involved in another World War again! Congress passed the Neutrality Acts to ensure that the US would not get involved in another World War again!