“Big Picture” Question About the US & End of WWI
Why did the US fail to Ratify the Versailles Treaty and
how did this impact on US Foreign Policy?
Directions:
See pages 678-681 in
text as well as internet
as needed for context
on Wilson, the Treaty
of Versailles and US
failure to ratify the
treaty.
Discuss questions on
each slide in small
groups and be ready to
share your answers
with whole class.
Woodrow Wilson as the US Enters WWI in spring, 1917:
“I will not cry ‘peace’ as long as there is wrong in the
world … America was born to exemplify the
devotion to righteousness which is derived from
the Holy scriptures”
“Our foreign policy must be concerned with human
rights rather than property rights. The force of America
is that of moral principle.”
“America’s mission has always been to realize an ideal
of liberty, provide a model of democracy and moral
principle for the world, uphold the rights of all men …
lead the thinking of the world and promote peace.”
“We must fight a war to end all wars and make the world safe for democracy.”
#1: What do the quotes illustrate about President Wilson’s Point
of View on why US entry into WWI in 1917 was needed?
Wilson
#2: Both cartoon are drawn following the end of World War I during the
Treaty of Versailles negotiations in 1919.
Which of the cartoons demonstrated Wilsons Point of View? Why?
Wilson
#3: This cartoon is drawn following Wilson’s “14 Points” speech proposing ideas
he believed would promote world peace when the war ends.
Explain why the cartoon would appeal to an “isolationist” audience after WWI.
#4: This cartoon was drawn when
Wilson returned
from the lengthy
Versailles Treaty
negotiations in 1919.
By the time he returned,
Republicans (the GOP) had
won a majority Congress.
Why is this context
important in understanding the
meaning of the cartoon?
Article X of the League of Nations Covenant
The Members of the league shall undertake to respect and
preserve against external aggression the territorial integrity
and political independence of all Members of the League.
In case of any such aggression or threat of aggression, the
League shall have an obligation to advise how peace shall
be maintained … Any war or threat of war affecting any
member of the League is a concern to the whole League,
the League shall take action to safe guard the peace of
nations … if arbitration by the League in case of aggression
is not successful, military intervention may be necessary
under the control of the League Council.
#5: This controversial section of the Treaty of Versailles illustrates the concept
of “collective security”. Why would Wilson support this concept? Why would
many in the US oppose this concept following WWI?
#6: An opponent of Article X, the League of Nations and “collective
security” would agree with the POV of this cartoon. Why?
Wilson on his national speech tour:
This election (1918 presidential
election) is to be a national
referendum … The chief question
that is put to you, of course, is do you
approve of the League of nations as
organized and empowered by that
covenants of that Treaty? Do you
wish to see the United States play its
responsible part in the world?
Our founding fathers thought
America to be the light of the world
and a leader in the assertion of the
rights of peoples and free nations …
This light the opponents of the
League would squelch.
Route of Wilson’s
Pro League of Nations
Speech Tour - 1920
#7: What was the purpose of Wilsons
1920 speech tour?
How did Wilson’s approach to
attempting to gain support for the
ratification of the Treaty of Versailles in
1920 show his “progressivism”?
#8: What do the cartoon and quote tell you about the results of
the Treaty of Versailles ratification debate in the US Senate?
Wilson: “I will not
play for position
(compromise) … Let
Lodge (leader of
Senate Republican
opposition)
compromise …
Let Lodge hold out
the olive branch … I
will stand squarely
behind the League
covenants and I can
stand defeat. I cannot
stand to retreat from
conscientious duty”
#9: What does
the graphic reveal
about the
effectiveness of the
Treaty of Versailles
(and League of
Nations)
in maintaining
world peace after
World War I?
“Big Picture” Question About the US & End of WWI
Why did the US fail to Ratify the Versailles Treaty and how
did this impact on US Foreign Policy?