The End of WWI: Woodrow Wilson, the

Failure of the US to Ratify the Versailles Treaty and the

Impact on US Foreign Policy

Directions: See pages 678-681 in text as

well as internet sources if that

helps.

Then look at each slide

carefully, & answer question to the right…use separate sheet if

you prefer.

#1: What do the quotes illustrate about President

Wilson’s reasons for US entry into WWI in 1917?

Quotes from Woodrow Wilson as the US Enters WWI:

“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.”

#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: Explain why the cartoon would appeal to an “isolationist” audience after WWI.

Wilson

#4: This cartoon was drawn after

Wilson (WW) returned

from the lengthy

Versailles Treaty

negotiations in 1919.

By the time he returned,

Republicans had

won a majority Congress.

Why is this context

important in understanding the

meaning of the cartoon?

#5: This controversial section of the Treaty of Versailles illustrates the concept

of “collective security”. Why would Wilson support this concept?

Article X of the League of Nations CovenantThe 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.

#6: An opponent of Article X, the League of Nations and “collective

security” would agree with the POV of this cartoon. Why?

#7: How does Wilson’s

approach to attempting to

gain support for the ratification of

the Treaty of Versailles in 1920

show his “progressivism”?

Route of Wilson’s

Pro League of Nations

Speech Tour - 1920

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.

#8: What do the cartoon and quote tell you about the results of

the Treaty of Versailles ratification debate in the 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?