Approval of the Versailles Treaty

ASU HST 200 (Historical Themes) The Great War America 1914–1919 Approval of the Versailles Treaty Wilson's greatest struggle was the ratification fight that awaited him after his return, despite the fact that the other countries had accepted the Treaty of Versailles' final conditions. Like other treaties, the United States would need to approve it by a twothirds majority. Senate for ultimate approval, something Wilson was aware would be challenging. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which handled the ratification process, listed fourteen problems he had with the treaty, the most of which having to do with the establishment of a League of Nations, even before Wilson returned to Washington. As an isolationist when it came to foreign policy matters, Lodge was concerned that Article X would need significant American participation as additional nations would want to defend her in all contentious matters. Conversely, proponents of interventionism contended that Article X would hinder the US from use its lawfully acquired military might to safeguard and defend its foreign policy objectives. Wilson's biggest battle was in the Senate, when the majority of Republicans rejected the treaty because of its provisions pertaining to the League of Nations' establishment. To use public support as a weapon against those who opposed the treaty, Wilson set out on a cross-country railway speaking tour. Some Republicans, known as Irreconcilables, opposed the treaty on all grounds, while others, known as Reservationists, would support the treaty if sufficient amendments were introduced that could eliminate Article X. After the hardship of spending six months in Paris, he started traveling in September 1919, but the demanding pace became too much for him. On September 25, 1919, after attending a public function, Wilson passed out and went back to Washington right away. There, he had a crippling stroke, which for around six months made his second wife Edith Wilson the de facto president. Wilson pleaded with Senate Democrats to oppose any attempt to reach a compromise on the treaty because he was frustrated that his vision of a new global order was vanishing and that his incapacity as an invalid made it much harder for him to express his own ideas. Congress thus voted on the original text of the treaty in November and rejected it. The treaty failed to receive the required number of votes for ratification when it was reintroduced in March 1920 with "reservations," or revisions. The outcome was that the US never officially signed the Treaty of Versailles. Additionally, the nation declined to join the League of Nations, severely undermining the organization's standing and importance globally. Wilson was personally humiliated and incensed by his nation's rejection to participate in the global peace model, even though he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October 1919 for his efforts to establish a model of world peace. After rejecting the treaty, the United States remained technically at war with Germany until July 21, 1921, when Congress quietly passed the Knox-Porter Resolution, officially ending the conflict. America was significantly impacted by the Great War, which lasted from 1914 to 1919, not only in terms of its military engagement but also in terms of the later political and diplomatic difficulties it encountered. The signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which put an end to the war and attempted to create a new international order, was foremost among these. The United States Senate had a difficult time ratifying the treaty, despite President Woodrow Wilson's crucial influence in crafting its contents. Wilson was well aware that getting Senate ratification would be difficult, even though other warring nations had agreed to the treaty's final terms. Wilson acknowledged that the two-thirds majority needed to ratify the pact was an overwhelming requirement. Much opposition to the pact had already formed before Wilson's return to Washington, especially with regard to the League of Nations' creation. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee head, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, listed fourteen reasons against the pact, several of which had to do with the League of Nations. As an isolationist when it came to foreign affairs, Lodge was concerned that Article X of the treaty would undermine national sovereignty by forcing a large amount of American engagement in international battles. The Senate had a fractious debate over the treaty, with most Republicans voting against it because of their reservations about the League of Nations. In an attempt to persuade opponents to concede, Wilson started a countrywide speaking tour to gain support for the deal. Republicans did not, however, give up easily; groups like the Irreconcilables and Reservationists fiercely opposed the pact for various reasons. The Reservationists wanted changes, especially to Article X, while the Irreconcilables just rejected the pact. Wilson's health suffered as a result of his attempts to get ratification. He had been campaigning hard for months when, in September 1919, he suffered a crippling stroke that rendered him unable to move for several months. Wilson's illness prohibited him from functioning as the nation's leader, thus Edith Wilson, his wife, took on a de facto presidency at this period. Wilson begged Senate Democrats not to compromise on the treaty, but in the end, Congress rejected the original wording in a November vote. The pact did not receive enough support for ratification even when it was presented in March 1920 with concerns. Wilson's dream of world peace and cooperation suffered a great hit as a result of the United States never formally signing the Treaty of Versailles or joining the League of Nations. The treaty's rejection had a significant impact. Until Congress enacted the Knox-Porter Resolution in 1921, officially ending hostilities, the United States and Germany remained at war. Wilson was personally embarrassed by his country's rejection of the treaty and its unwillingness to take part in the international peace framework he envisioned, even though he was rewarded with the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. In summary, the conflict surrounding the Treaty of Versailles highlighted the difficulties of global diplomacy and the complexity of state politics. Wilson's bold plan for a new global order eventually crumbled in the face of resistance and party differences, leaving a legacy of unsolved conflicts and lost chances for international collaboration.