World War I Dbq - Woodrow Wilson Dbq

Woodrow Wilson DBQ

Matthew Johnson

The statement “ It was the strength of the opposition forces, both liberal and conservative. rather than the ineptitude and stubbornness of President Wilson that led to the Senate defeat of the Treaty of Versailles” is valid. However, the stubbornness of President Wilson   led to the defeat of his plans due to  his belief of not compromising with the political force opposing him. The inability of  compromise led to his legislation failing.

Henry Cabot Lodge, was the political leader of political force in opposition of Woodrow Wilson’s legislation.  Both men, were highly intellectual, and shared a similar view of how America played a role in global conflicts. However, their ideas of America’s role in global conflict changed in regard to Article X. Article X, was the backbone  idea of the League of Nations, that  allowed a country to be a mediator in global conflict  and supported the idea of collective security,  that attack on one nation is an attack  on all the nations.  The idea of collective security, is used today by NATO, the  successor to Wilson’s League of Nations. The idea of America’s involvement in foreign conflict  supported William Borah and conservative’s fear of involvement in foreign wars.  William Borah  enunciated “  those matters  which are of vital importance to our people shall be submitted to a tribunal created other by our own people”. [Doc A]. This supports the illusion of  a bridegroom representing the US, being married to foreign entanglements , the bride. [Doc E]

Wilson stressed the importance of the treaty  as a key to prevent future American soldiers deaths.  He was trying to gain support of the voter who once enjoyed [Doc G] his speeches. Wilson knew that if the United States didn’t ratify the League of Nations, the League and his fourteen points would fail. Domestic reformers were not necessarily progressives in diplomacy,  such as Jane Addams Woman’s “Peace Party”  who “found their branches fairly divided upon the subject” regarding  the idea of being an international organization. [Doc I]

In conclusion, the  statement was valid. However, if  Woodrow Wilson allowed compromise with opposing political forces , and reached some middle ground, the treaty would of been ratified instead of setting up the League of Nation’s failure.  Due to no compromise, it set the world up for another war  which started off to due to the Treaty of Versaille.

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