1. Topic: Why Did Wilson and the Versailles Treaty Fail?
Do Now:
“It must be a peace without victory....Victory would mean peace forced upon the loser …Only a peace between equals can last”.
-President Wilson
Send out a Tweet- what do you think of this portion of Wilson’s war message to Congress

2. Wilson and the End of WW I
11/11/18: Germany sues for an armistice
WW I halted
Wilson goes to France to begin negotiating the peace treaty
Wilson as the “most popular American ever”
Each ally has different goals
The “Big Four”
Wilson’s goal: to create the League of Nations
Wilson’s big mistakes
Party politics
Wilson vs. Clemenceau (the tiger)
Treaty of Versailles
Germany to pay reparations, etc.
But, the League is created

3. The Conflict at Home: “Breaking the Heart of the World”
Wilson returns home, wants treaty approved
Republicans now in control of Senate
Republicans not happy w/ Wilson, Treaty
Article X is disputed
Irreconcilables
Reservationists (Henry Cabot Lodge)
Wilson’s Speaking Tour
Wilson’s stroke, unwilling to compromise
Versailles Treaty never ratified
US does not join the League of Nations
1920: “Solemn Referendum”
Republicans win Congress, the Presidency (Harding)
End of Progressive Era

4. Conclusion
Who is to blame for the failure of the US to join the league of nations? Explain your answer.