Wilson and the Treaty of Versailles

It was the strength of the opposition forces , both liberal and conservative , rather than the ineptitude and stubbornness of President Wilson that led to the Senate defeat of the Treaty of Versailles.

Liberal v. Conservative Liberal – Interventionists /Internationalists Conservative – Isolationist Terms: Liberal and Conservative meanings differ when applied to foreign vs. domestic affairs. Progressives were liberal on domestic issues but many of the “irreconcilables” were progressive although they were “isolationist” (conservative) when it came to the Treaty of Versailles.) Reservationists - Internationalists

The 96 senators who were eligible to vote on the treaty belonged to one of three groups: Wilson Supporters and liberal Internationalists Reservationists led by Henry Cabot Lodge Irreconcilables who were mostly isolationists

TREATY OF VERSAILLES JUNE 28 1919

Established the League of Nations Executive Council (like the Security Council) Decisions would require unanimous approval for action Agreed to not make war without arbitration Unilateral action amounted to war against the entire league Article X Executive Council could “advise upon measures necessary to maintain order and keep peace in the world.”

Wilson’s Reasons for Ratification “Collective Security” League of Nations would simply make the world a safer place by reducing the chances for war stopping needless arms building Enable US to assume its rightful role in the forefront of world affairs where we could use our best intentions and leadership to promote world peace “We are participants in the world, whether we wish to be or not… What affects mankind is inevitably our affair as well…”

THE RATIFICATION FIGHT

Reservationists versus Irreconcilables Irreconcilables—refused to ratify the treaty Argument: Article X---if accepted the U.S. would be ceding war powers of the government to the League of Nations council. Hiram Johnson, Robert La Follette, William Borah

Reservationists Argument: Make amendments to the treaty before its ratification. Mostly republicans Henry Cabot Lodge

TIMELINE February ,1919 – trip to Washington listened to harsh criticism March, 1919 - Wilson allows 4 changes July , 1919 – presented the Treaty to Congress August , 1919 – Wilson met with entire Senate Foreign Relations Committee late in the summer of 1919- Wilson took his case to the people During his trip Wilson suffers a stroke (October) essentially ending his political career.

TIMELINE November , 1919 Senate voted with reservations 39- 55 defeated without reservations 38 – 53 defeated March 19, 1920- with reservations 49 for 35 against (7 short of 2/3 needed for approval) November - 1920 Presidential Election - Wilson believed it would be “solemn referendum” on the League

Election of 1920 Republicans nominate Warren G. Harding/Calvin Coolidge. Front porch campaign decreeing a “return to normalcy”. Democrats nominate James Cox/Franklyn D. Roosevelt. Activist campaign focusing on domestic issues. Eugene Debs- running from prison

Election of 1920 Republican victory by a landslide

Factors that Defeated the Treaty Ratification: Climate of post war U.S. Rising intolerance towards things “un-American” Ku Klux Klan reborn Red Scare---fear of terrorist attacks The Great Migration---race riots

B. Backlash against the Great War Climate of post war U.S. B. Backlash against the Great War Questioning the wisdom of having participated in a war that had caused many American deaths and wounded Stories of Allied greed and desire for revenge disillusioned many who thought that the war had been fought to “make the world safe for democracy” revulsion of the treaty led to desire to return to isolationism

2. Political Opposition Irish Americans German Americans Italian Americans Conservatives Liberals Isolationists Senate Republicans Anti-Wilsonites

Berlin Treaty August 1921 Harding Administration will conduct negotiations with Weimar Republic. Scaled down version of Treaty of Versailles (excluded League of Nations, and boundaries provisions) Laid foundation for US role to provide assistance to Germany regarding reparations.

Dawes Plan-Charles Dawes Ruhr Valley evacuated Germany would be loaned 800 million marks by the US and Britain Short Term effect- eased reparations payments for Germany and short economic stability Dawes earns Nobel Peace Prize for efforts

Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) Agreement signed between France, Germany, and the US Renounced the use of war to solve disputes. Essentially made war illegal

Young Plan Reduced Reparations payments further Between agreement and adoption of the plan. Credits will be cancelled from US Banks when the depression hits