The Treaty of Versailles Senate Ratification Debate

Wilson’s Fourteen Points

Point 1: “Open covenants of peace, openly arrived at…[so that] diplomacy shall proceed always in the public view.”

No Secret Treaties – one of the major causes of World War I

Point 2: “Absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas…in war and peace.”

Freedom of the Seas – The British blockade and Germany’s use of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare drew the U.S. into the war.

Point 3: “The removal, so far as possible, of all economic barriers and the establishment of an equality of trade conditions among all the nations.”

Free trade promotes economic growth and reduces trading conflicts that could lead to war.

Point 4: “National armaments will be reduced to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety.”

Disarmament – Militarism was another major cause of WWI

Point 5: “Impartial adjustment of all colonial claims…the interests of the populations concerned must have equal weight with the equitable claims of the [colonial] government.”

Self Determination – Imperialism and the competition for colonies were causes of WWI

Points 6 to 13: These points deal with restoration of “occupied territories” to Russia, Belgium, France, and the Baltic States. They also call for drawing new borders based on “historically established lines of allegiance and nationality”.

Self Determination – Imperialism and the desire of weaker nations to be free were causes of WWI

Point 14: “A general association of nations must be formed.”

Collective Security – Nations could work together to ensure conflicts do not escalate into war

REMEMBER… Wilson had hoped that WWI would be a “War to end all Wars”

He hoped that the treaty would create “Peace Without Victory”

Russia: 1.7 millionAustria: 800,000 Germany:1.6 millionItaly:462,000 France:1.39 millionU.S.A.:53,000 Britain:900,000

How likely is Wilson’s hope of “Peace Without Victory”?

The Big Four David Lloyd George Vittorio Emanuele Orlando Georges Clemenceau Woodrow Wilson

Senator Henry Cabot Lodge

Reservationists: Republicans who were willing to vote for approval of the Treaty of Versailles IF certain reservations, or changes, were added to it. Irreconcilables: Sixteen Senate Republicans who firmly opposed the Treaty of Versailles and U.S. membership in the League of Nations.

The Members of the League undertake to respect and preserve, as against external aggression, the territorial integrity and existing political independence of all Members of the League. In case of any such aggression, or in case of any threat or danger of such aggression, the Council shall advise upon the means by which the obligation shall be fulfilled. Article X

Now it’s time to prep for our Senate Debate…

Political Cartoons…

Multiple Choice Practice…

1.In arguing in favor of the Treaty of Versailles, President Wilson said all of the following EXCEPT: a.an international organization of nations is needed to keep peace b.as a world leader, the U.S. must stand ready to defend other nations c.Germany should have to pay reparations as punishment for its aggression d.Article X of the League Covenant is critical to the success of the international peace-keeping body it creates Multiple Choice Practice

2. The Republicans’ key objection to the Treaty of Versailles was that: a.the U.S. did not gain enough territory in the war to warrant Senate ratification of the Treaty b.the Treaty of Versailles was too hard on Germany c.it might force the United States to adopt an isolationists foreign policy d.the treaty seemed to undermine Congress’s role in declaring war Multiple Choice Practice

TRUE/FALSE President Wilson was a Democrat The Republicans supported the Treaty of Versailles Article X could require the United States to defend another member nation from foreign aggression The Lodge Reservation was supported by President Wilson President Wilson succeeded in securing all of his Fourteen Points in the final version of the Treaty of Versailles Recall… Without looking at your notes!!!