The Versailles Treaty Controversy

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

Wilson’s Fourteen Points PRINCIPLES: Freedom of the Seas Reduction of Arms Open Treaty Negotiations Self Determination of Peoples League of Nations 14

Irony USS George Washington

PEACE Without Victory

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Paris Peace Conference “The Conference was an affair of three sides – the victors, the vanquished, and Wilson.” -- Richard Hofstadter

David Lloyd George (British Prime Minister) “I was seated between Jesus Christ and Napoleon.” David Lloyd George (British Prime Minister)

Article 231 The “War Guilt” Clause Britain and France wanted Germany to claim responsibility for the war and pay reparations to the allies.

Wilson’s Fourteen Points PRINCIPLES: Freedom of the Seas Reduction of Arms Open Treaty Negotiations Self Determination of Peoples League of Nations 14

HOW can the two ideas be reconciled??? 14 231

EASY!!! JUST USE BOTH! 14 231

LINK TO MAPS

LINK TO MAPS

LINK TO MAPS

LINK TO MAPS

Proclamation of the German Empire 18 January 1871

Signing of the Treaty of Versailles June 28, 1919 Five years to the day of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Look Familiar???

Now, for the hard part… USS George Washington

Ratifying Treaties “[The President] shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur....” -- Article II, Section 2

The Senate vote necessary to ratify a treaty 2/3 The Senate vote necessary to ratify a treaty

The number of senators included in Wilson’s peace delegation to Europe.

The U.S. Senate 1910-1920

The U.S. Senate 1910-1920 Republican Majority

The League of Nations An Entangling Alliance???

Article X of the League Covenant 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 this obligation shall be fulfilled.

Three Views of the Treaty Internationalists Ratify the Treaty AS IS Reservationists Ratify the Treaty with Reservations Irreconcilables DON’T RATIFY the Treaty

SOVEREIGNTY

Sen. William Borah (R-ID) Irreconcilable “What is the result of all this? We are in the midst of all the affairs of Europe… We have joined in alliance with all the European nations… we have forfeited… the great policy of 'no entangling alliances' upon which the strength of this Republic has been founded.” Sen. William Borah (R-ID)

America should avoid all foreign entanglements. Reservationists (Imperialist Wing) America should engage the world on its own terms. Irreconcilables (Isolationist Wing) America should avoid all foreign entanglements.

The Lodge Reservations 14 Stipulations Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge (R-MA) View

Wilson’s Dilemma Compromise with Reservationists or stand his ground?

EUROPE TO US: Reservations OK!

“The Senate must take its medicine.” -- Woodrow Wilson

Speaking Tour http://what-when-how.com/western-colonialism/wilsonianism-western-colonialism/ President Wilson waves to a crowd in Saint Louis, Missouri, on September 6, 1919, during a speaking tour to promote the League of Nations.

Political Calculation Wilson’s Route Political Calculation Image Source: NPS.gov

STROKE! Wilson suffered a stroke brought on by the stress of his campaign for the League. He was an invalid for the remainder of his term. (The public had no clue.) Woodrow Wilson's first posed photograph after his stroke. He was paralyzed on his left side, so his wife Edith holds a document steady while he signs. June 1920.

Review: The Treaty Factions Internationalists Ratify the Treaty AS IS Reservationists Ratify the Treaty with Reservations Irreconcilables DON’T RATIFY the Treaty

Where is THIS GUY when we need him? Answer: Dead

BIGGER Republican Majority A “Solemn Referendum” 1920 BIGGER Republican Majority

League Membership 1920- 1946 Map Credit: Maps & Lucy The United States never joined the League. Wilson’s mission to intimately involve the U.S. in global affairs was a failure.

I went to Versailles and all I got was this lousy peace prize. 1919