The conclusion of the first World War, brought about by America's last minute involvement, hoisted President Wilson on the shoulders of the world. He was buoyed with ideas of the future and, most importantly, a League of Nations. But upon his return he was met with opposition from all sides. The Treaty of Versailles never had a chance to breath as Wilson pushed for it be accepted his way and his opponents stalled for time while expressing their discontent for the document.
Wilson's Fourteen Points caused disagreement the moment they were released. The republican's grumbling would come to fruition when the war had finally settled down and Wilson went to help with the making of the treaty in Europe. This itself caused strife as Wilson's journey appeared to be flamboyancy on his part, especially since he neglected to add any Republican senators to his official party, even Henry Lodge who was the chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign RelationsThe real trouble began when the Senate had to approve the treaty.
The League of Nations: A Pictorial Summary, Geneva...
Wilson arrv'g. in Wash'n. (LOC)
Wilson leaving Princeton, 10/19/15 (LOC)Lodge, the antithesis of Wilson, stalled the document and used the time to divide public opinion. In a political cartoon of the era, it shows the Senate breaking through a window to stop the 'marriage' between Uncle Sam and his bride, Foreign Entanglements, who were being wedded by the 'League of Nations' priest. The cartoon exemplifies just how opposed the senate was to the whole ordeal. Wilson again appealed directly to the American masses. Wilson pleaded with them to accept the treaty, claiming it was the only hope of preventing future wars. The whole ordeal caused Wilson to collapse from physical and nervous exhaustion. While Wilson was out of the picture, Lodge took this time to create his own Fourteen Points. Wilson, enraged, claimed that these Lodge Reservations weakened...