The Treaty of Versailles:American Style

Article XThe Members of the League undertake to respect and preserve

as against external aggression the territorial integrityand existing political independence of all Members of the League.

In case of any such aggressionor in case of any threat or danger of such aggression

the Council shall advise upon the meansby which this obligation shall be fulfilled.17

Article II, Section II, Clause 2:

He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided tw0-thirds of the Senators present concur……

Battle Lines Drawn

March 4, 1919: Henry Cabot Lodge issues Round-Robin of 39 Republicans opposed Treaty without reservations

Groups Developed regarding the Treaty of VersaillesSenate opinion on the treaty was divided into three distinct views: Supporters. Democrats loyal to Wilson wanted the treaty to be ratified in its original form without any amendments or reservations.

Reservationists. This group claimed to be in favor of the treaty, but only after including a series of reservations prior to ratification. Senator Lodge of Massachusetts was the leader of this faction and was personally dedicated to frustrating the aims of his rival, Wilson. The Reservationists were the largest of the three factions.

Irreconcilables. Isolationist senators, including Robert M. La Follette of Wisconsin, William E. Borah of Idaho and Hiram Johnson of California, opposed the treaty and American entry into the League of Nations under any circumstances. They had counseled against entering the war in the first place and now opposed participation in European affairs.

Mar. 4, 1919 - Wilson speech in New York declares Covenant and League are inseparable; Wilson returns to Paris

The Irreconciables

"America has arisen to a position where she is respectedand admired by the entire world," he informed a Brooklynaudience. "She did it by minding her own business .. . TheEuropean and American systems do not agree."

William Borah, (R) ID Hiram Johnson, (R) CA

The Reservationists

Mild Reservationists &Strong Reservationists

Henry Cabot Lodge, (R) MA

Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Held Hearings on Treaty from:

July 1919-November 1919

Eventually 14 Reservations (Amendments) addedTo Treaty concerning Article X

Wilson’s Tour

The Fall of a President

September 26, 1919 in Pueblo, Colorado

Wilson collapses from exhaustion

October 2, 1919 in Washington D.C.

Edith Wilson finds WW on floor in bathroom unconscious and bleeding

Suffered a stroke

Left side of body paralyzed, blind in left eye

His medical condition was kept from everyone until his death in 1924

One citing cause of the 25th Amendment

View of the Treaty

The Vote in the Senate

November 1919

Wilson informs Democratic Senators to vote against the Treaty with any changes to the original plan. Amended Treaty is defeated

March 1920

Again the Treaty of Versailles, with Reservations, was voted down by the US Senate

1921

US concludes separate peace treaties with former enemies.