Wednesday, April 1, Maz's class discussed the Versailles Treaty. Mainly who was involved, what they wanted, why they wanted it, and the result of the treaty. Georges Clemenceau, for example, wanted to punish Germany and for them to pay for any damages that occurred during WWI. His main goal was total revenge and some could see it as harsh as Lloyd George did. He too wanted revenge on Germany, but in more of a peaceful way (basically Germany would pay for the damages done and they would be punished for causing the war). United States of America's President Wilson wanted many things out of this treaty, but one he wanted most was the League of Nations. The League of Nations had one basic goal, to prevent a war like this to ever occur again.
Wilson saw the League of Nations as a way to prevent another war like WWI was, but unfortunately not every country agreed with his ideas. There were three countries that did not agree to sign the League of Nations. Germany, naturally, did not want it because they saw it as an insult to their country since everyone was blaming them for starting WWI. Another country was Russia. The final country was one someone might scratch their heads over for not understanding, it was the United States of America. President Wilson created the idea of League of Nations and yet, he cannot get his own country to follow his lead? Other leaders in America did not like Wilson and tried to go against any ideas of his that they could, and so they did when it came to signing the League of Nations.
This came as a shock to me because usually America follows its Commander's lead unless it is harmful for America itself. The League of Nations did not seem like a bad idea if it could really prevent war and less lives loss, but I am sure it had its downsides which could have been the reason why America did not sign it. Was there an actual reason behind not signing it? Or did Senators of the time just really not like President Wilson and decide to go against him as we think they did?
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