This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND Dec 18 th LT: I can understand why US senators opposed the League of Nations Opener: Watch the video clip and explain what you learned about the League of Nations

What was the League of Nations • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=yw. Ml. FMEMSLw

Armistice- 11 -111918 Germany and Allies sign armistice

Peace without victory- no nation would take blame for the war- he had an idealistic vision

Treaty of Versailles- All but Germany met in Versailles. They did not like Wilson’s ideas except the League of Nations

Senate Opposition: Irreconcilables and Reservationist • Wilson signed the Treaty of Versailles, but our Constitution requires treaties to be approved y 2/3 of the Senate to become law. • 12 -18 senators known as “Irreconcibles” did not agree with the treaty at all • Other Senators were willing to negotiate but were concerned with he terms of the League of nations. Henry Cabot Lodge was one of these people known as “Reservationist”

Article X of the League Covenant- principle objection your documents will look at this Article X. • The Members of the League undertake to respect and preserve as against external aggression the territorial integrity and existing political independence of all Members of the League. ”

Wilson’s battle with the Senate • 50, 000 people greeted the President at a stadium Sept 19, 1919

• Had Wilson been willing to compromise with the Reservationists on the language of the Treaty, it would likely have passed. However, he was unwilling to make even small, symbolic changes. Rather than compromise, Wilson went on a nationwide speaking tour to drum up support for the treaty. However, Wilson fell ill during the tour and returned to Washington DC, where he suffered a debilitating stroke that would leave him physically and mentally impaired for the rest of his presidency. Wilson was never able to muster the political capital needed to bend the Senate to his will. The Senate voted on the treaty three times during the remainder of Wilson’s final term in office, rejecting it each time. The Treaty of Versailles was never ratified by the Senate and the United States never joined the other 63 countries in the League of Nations.

Why did senators oppose joining the League of Nations in 1919? • Read A (class together) • Read B • Read C • Read D • Answer guiding notes after each section • Extra Credit- 1 academic paragraph at least 2 pieces of evidence and transitions and commentary- this is EXEMPLARY WORK not a rush piece

Closure • Do you think that the US Congress should have supported the League of Nations- yes/no explain why. • Self Evaluation • Pirate ship rating on LT • What was your new learning about the League of Nations today?