The U.S. Senate Rejects the Treaty (C) Eric Herber

          After the 4 years, World War I had come to an end with the Triple Entente as the victors. The French and the British believed that Germany should have to suffer for what they caused in Europe. So when the leaders of the victorious nations gathered to make a treaty, it was no surprise that France and Britain suggested punishment for Germany. But Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States, wanted a treaty that would bring peace to the nations in Europe in what he called ‘Fourteen Points.’ So what they proposed was the Treaty of Versailles, which established 9 new nations in Europe, and provided appropriate punishment for Germany, including the limitations of the German military and navy.

            As President Wilson heads back to America, he is confident that his nation will be content with the contents of the treaty. To his surprise, the U.S. Senate does not pass the Treaty of Versailles with at least 2/3 of the votes. In response to the rejection of the treaty, President Wilson takes it upon himself to personally take his case to the American people to try and sway the Senate’s opinion. He traveled 8,000 miles and made over 30 major speeches in only three weeks. The stress that the President put his body through caused him to suffer a stroke. The Senate voted in November 1919 and again in March 1920, both times the Senate refused to ratify the treaty. A year later in 1921, the U.S. signed separate peace treaties with each of the Central Powers, leaving the U.S. out of the League of Nations.