Internationalists Supporting the Treaty of Versailles By: Autumn Coady, Sarah Nuzzo, Nick Ouellette, Jon Civiello

Background World War I was the first major world conflict that involved around 16 million deaths of combatants and civilian. The war participates included, Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Americans. After World War I ended in November of 1919, the nations debated what to do to prevent such a worldwide disaster from happening again. After a six month period of negotiation of solutions such as Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points and the Treaty of Versailles. Each solution had a list of agreements, regulations,  and punishments. 

Issue     We are members of the United States Senate. We are voting on the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles that President Wilson has negotiated with our allies. The undecided members of the United States senate will help decide if the United States will sign the Treaty. It will also decide to join the League of Nations.

Thesis    Us members of the United States Senate, should support the League of Nations. The League of Nations has much to offer. With it, the United States will be more protected and will keep the United States out of unneeded wars. There is no reason to be wasting the lives and resources of Americans in war when we can prevent these conflicts through The League. Joining the League will demonstrate America's overall values of liberty and power. It will also help keep the United States out of war and help end national conflicts. The League will support a foreign policy more suited for the new growing power of the United States as a nation.  

Domestic political expert  We want other nations to avoid conflict   War is bad for the economy   No war means opportunities for overseas market and international trading  League of Nations and Treaty of Versailles will help keep U.S. out of war  Improve relationship with other nations so economy can expand and grow even more to the rest of the world  Help end international disputes 

International Political Expert The Great War taught America that being an isolationist nation is no longer possible. Since the establishment of the United States as a national power, the future does not seem as isolated from world affairs.  The United States needs to embrace this change. The United States should not shy away from the world power it can become as a result of the Versailles Treaty.  The Treaty includes a League of Nations that will be beneficial to America's economic influence in the world.  The League will allow the discussion of international problems, such as the confusion on freedom of the seas during the war. As a result, the United States will become a more important economic factor in international trade and overseas markets.

Military Expert We must avoid conflict if possible, war wastes the lives and resources of Americans The Great War significantly depleted the reserves and populations of every country involved. Joining the league is necessary to protect ourselves and our allies from further harm Joining the league will strengthen alliances and possibly create more, increasing our influence as a world power If these precautions are not taken, there most certainly will be a world war within the next century

Historian Expert    Supporting the Treaty of Versailles follows the values of the United States  As Woodrow Wilson suggests, the treaty will provide protection of rights and improve the working conditions for all people   The Treaty will bring all the nations closer and create an opportunity to keep other nations from interfering with the rights of others Also to continue to be such a leadership figure with strong positioning among the other nations we must join the league  America is a strong country that has gained a standing among the world, if we were to not join the league we would ultimately become a weaker inferior country The joining of league will show America's successes with creating freedom, happiness, and equality that lead them to be the great power  The joining of the league will make other nations see us seriously and respect us furthermore America's values are liberty, freedom, and justice for all. Joining the league will encourage our values on others as well as having them continue to thrive in our own country. Being a large power will demonstrate our abilities and the success, inspiring others.

Citations Option packet one People: Woodrow Wilson “League of Nations.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Feb. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Nations.