World War Ii and Treaty Essay

Submitted By Yomigie
Words: 315
Pages: 2

To be able to protect the United States from getting involved in wars, they refused to join the League of Nations. The League of Nations was established by the Treaty of Versailles, which was signed at the end of the First World War. To become binding on the United States, it had to be approved the United States Senate. Article X of the League of Nations required the United States to respect the territorial integrity of member states. Although there was no requirement compelling an American declaration of war, the United States might be bound to impose an economic embargo or to sever diplomatic relations. Senators led by Henry Cabot Lodge proposed "reservations," to the treaty, that would make clear that the United States was not obligated to get involved in any war unless the war was approved by the Congress of the United States. Other reservations were proposed that would preserve the sovereignty of the United States. Wilson embarked on a public tour of the United States, taking the matter "to the people," in an effort to have the people persuade their Senators to approve the treaty. It did not work. In addition, in Colorado, Wilson suffered a massive stroke, had to be returned to Washington, and was an invalid for the rest of his presidency. Under the Constitution, the treaty had to be approved by a two-thirds vote. There were three voting groups: (1) those who favored the treaty without change, (2) those who favored the treaty with the Lodge reservations, and (3) those