By Siobhan O'Sullivian, Faith Mauri, Bryan Sample, Jordan Massicott The Irreconcilables By Siobhan O'Sullivian, Faith Mauri, Bryan Sample, Jordan Massicott

Why are we against  the Treaty of Versailles and joining the League of Nations? The creation of the League of Nations was envisioned by Woodrow Wilson in his Fourteen Points. It was meant for international peacekeeping that would keep another world war from happening and settle things down immediately instead of entering conflict. America playing any part of it would be a risky endeavor that would provide little to no return. International affairs with Europe will limit the independence of the United States and will be forced into unnecessary conflicts. With unnecessary conflicts, the United States will be forced to give up hundreds of American lives due to being dragged into more international affairs. The United States would also be threatened economically, politically, and territorially if the Treaty of Versailles was passed and the United States joined the League of Nations. Under no circumstances should the United States join the League of Nations.

International Affairs Expert .  International Affairs Expert The European superpowers are a hostile and violent force that America does not need to entangle ourselves with them. Joining the League of Nations would force America into unnecessary conflict it wouldn’t be in if it was independent. The League was quoted as the "international homicide club." by Senator Lawrence Y. Sherman Americans had "feared the consequences of involvement in Europe’s tangled politics, now even more complex because of the 1919 peace settlement" because of the blame it place on Germany. The treaty of Versailles disgraced and indebted Germany unjustly in Americas eye and had vilified and gave infamy before the first meeting itself.

Military Expert The creation of the League of Nations and America playing any part of it would be a risky endeavor that would provide little to no return. The Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations does not fix problems that existed previous to the Great War and the harsh treatment of the Germans lay the groundwork of anther worldwide conflict.  If America was to join the League of Nations, ties would be created that could in the future drag us into another great conflict that would cost hundreds of thousands  American lives. "There is a quarrel between Italy and Yugoslavia over Fiume, a small Italian town with fifty thousand population. Italy and Yugoslavia cannot settle it. Thereupon the League of Nations undertakes to intervene, and then render a decision, and thereupon it is ordered that the United States shall apply pressure, that she shall cease to ship goods to either country. Then the war drums begin to roll... And suddenly Americans are dying for a fight that they have no interest in."(Senator James A. Reed, November 1919) 

Domestic Political Expert The US should under no circumstances accept the Treaty of Versailles and  under no circumstances compromise with the league of nations. Problems with collective security under the treaty would affect US US economic and political growth would be stunted  Threaten US soil   According to Senator Lawrence, "this league and treaty, whether reserved or otherwise, are a charter of an international homicide club" (source packet). 

Conclusion America under no circumstances should accept the terms of the Treaty of Versailles or become a part of the League of Nations. Accepting either would be detrimental for the security and prosperity of the United States of America. Having any part with the League of Nations would drag America into costly conflicts, stunt future American growth, and limit worldwide independences.

Sources https://history.state.gov/milestones/1914-1920/league Source packet, senator Lawrence Y. Sherman, November 19, 1919 Source packet, Senator James A. Reed, November 1919