Wilson's Ineptitude Stubbornness 1991 Dbq Ap History

President Wilson's own ineptitude and stubbornness is what led to the Senate's defeat of the Treaty of Versailles, rather than the strength of the opposing forces. Even Wilson's closest and most trusted advisors could not sway his stance. Wilson was strong in his stance and incorporated the idea of the 14 points. While it is true that opposing forces contributed to defeat the treaty, it was Wilson's unmovable position that led to its ultimate defeat in the Senate.

There was much opposition to the Treaty in the United States, as well as the rest of the world. In the excerpt from "The New Republic," it proves the public's general disdain for the Treaty. Whether they had hoped for the treaty to be more lenient on Germany, or more severe, everyone had a problem with the treaty and its disputable clauses. Americans had been promised at the beginning of the war that their efforts would result in a lasting peace that would help preserve democracy and "moralize nationalism" throughout the world. The American people were severely disappointed when Wilson and his promises fell through, due to his own bullheadedness. Herbert Hoover, for one, believed that the treaty was too harsh, and urged Wilson to accept the reservations that the Senate had made. As in the excerpt with Hoover talking to Wilson, Hoover attempts to sway Wilson by convincing him that once the treaty was ratified, it could be amended and changed as to make it effective and pleasing to both sides. Wilson however, did not agree and continued to refuse support for ratification of the new version of his treaty.

Americans supported the ideas that Wilson had, but were divided as to the way things should be carried out. In Jane Addam's, "Peace and Bread in time of War, in 1922, it discusses women's view on the treaty. There was a general division, but overall a distinct agreement that an international organization was desperately needed, no matter what. W.E.B. DuBois fully supported the League of Nations and in his article "The League of Nations" called it the "most forward looking event of the century". He stated that if it weren't for Wilson's conceded thoughts; the treaty could have worked out to please everyone. In the political cartoon, with Wilson jumping out of the window is just another example of how Wilson had to have his way, which is why he didn't succeed; he couldn't make enough people agree. One example of this is in Wilson's speech on September 5, 1919, where he says "If it should every in anyway important respect be impaired...I would feel like asking the Secretary of War to get the boys who went across the water

...