Versailles And The League of Nations
Aims of the League To keep world peace by dealing with disputes among nations. To protect the independence of countries and safe guard their borders; To encourage each country to reduce its armaments; To improve living and working conditions for all people. League of Nations, visited 9 September 2003
Structure of League The Assembly The Assembly was the main body of the League of Nations and functioned much like a parliament would do. The assembly met once a year to: Discuss anything raised by a member; Fix the Leagues budget; Admit new members; Elect no non-permament members of the Council;Council A unanimous vote was needed to pass a motion or decision. League of Nations, visited 9 September 2003
Structure Continued The Council Consisted of four permanent members - Britain, France, Italy and Japan - as well as non-permanent members. At first the council had 3 non-permanent members, but later this changed to 10) Met when ever there was an emergency to help solve the problem. A majority vote was needed to pass a decision. The International Court of Justice Set up at the Hague in Holland. The Court had 15 judges to give decisions on disputes between countries. The Court was only ever used when countries requested it. League of Nations, visited 9 September 2003
Structure Continued Agencies International Labour Organisation (I.L.O.) Worked to improve working conditions and wages across the world. One of it's achievements was having the lead taken out of white paint. World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) Mandates Commision The Mandates Commision kept an eye on the management of former colonies of defeated powers now controlled by victorious powers. Minorities Commision The Minorities Commision worked towards protecting people of one nationality living in countries of a differnt national group. Other Agencies
Article X 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. visited 9 September 2003
Worry “A Nervous Wreck”--Versailles Treaty, visited 6 September 2003
Worry Versailles Treaty, visited 6 September 2003
Wilson & Lodge visited 9 September visited 9 September 2003
Hope Versailles Treaty, visited 6 September 2003
Hope Versailles Treaty, visited 6 September 2003
Rational Hope? Versailles Treaty, visited 6 September 2003
Cynicism? Versailles Treaty, visited 6 September 2003
Reception Versailles Treaty, visited 6 September 2003
Wilson Works For The League Versailles Treaty, visited 6 September 2003
Senate Make-up 66th Congress opens; different positions on Treaty in Senate: 1.Strong Internationalists (Wilson, 27 Dem.) 2.Limited Internationalists (Butler, Taft, 8 Rep.) 3.Mild Reservationists (Hitchcock, 20 Rep. and 20 Dem.) 4.Strong Reservationists (Lodge, 7 Rep.) 5.Irreconcilables (Borah, Johnson, 14 Rep. and 1 Dem.)
Senate Response visited 9 September 2003
League of Nations visited 13 March 2007
Timeline Nov. 11, Armistice ends fighting in Europe Jan. 18, Peace Conference opens in Paris Feb. 14, Wilson submits Draft Covenant for a League of Nations Jun. 28, Treaty of Versailles signed in Hall of Mirrors July 8, Wilson arrives in U.S. and presents Treaty to Senate Nov. 6, 1919 – Senate Committee proposes 14 Lodge reservations Nov. 19, Senate rejects Treaty with 14 Lodge reservations 39-55; then Senate rejects original Treaty Dec. 29, Mild Reservationists demand Lodge seek a compromise Feb. 1, England, France declare they would accept Senate res Feb. 9, Senate votes to reconsider Treaty and refers it to Committee Mar. 8, Wilson repeats his opposition to Lodge reservations Mar. 19, Senate defeats Treaty with 15 Lodge reservations May 20, Congress ends war by joint resolution but Wilson vetos July 2, Congress ends war by joint resolution Oct. 18, Separate treaties with Germany, Austria, Hungary ratified visited 9 September 2003
United Nations visited 13 March 2007