Opposing Views of the Treaty of Versailles

 

Wilson felt that:

     American security and world peace could

           be achieved by American leadership

           in world affairs

 

     Isolationist policies had failed in the past

 

     International cooperation against

           aggression was the method for

           maintaining peace

 

Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and Republican isolationists felt that

 

     The Treaty of Versailles had to be

           “Republicanized” to protect American

           sovereignty

 

     League of Nations might involve the U.S.

           in a war which violates Congressional

           power to declare war

 

    

 

     League might interfere with domestic

           matters such as tariffs and

           immigration policy

 

     League would be controlled by Britain and

           her dominions

 

Wilson denounced Lodge’s reservations to the treaty and began a speaking tour to promote support for the treaty

 

The Senate voted it down with reservations, and also without it

 

In a third vote, some Democrats supported the amended version but it too failed

 

The Treaty was defeated by:

     Wilson’s unwillingness to compromise

     Lodge’s insistence on variations

     Change in public opinion against it