Why did Congress reject the Treaty…

History Questions

Why did Congress reject the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer

The Treaty of Versailles was primarily rejected by the U.S. Senate due to concerns about joining the League of Nations, which many believed would limit Congress’s power to declare war. Additionally, there were objections to the treaty’s imperialistic elements and its boundary decisions. At that time, a Republican-majority Senate was keen on steering clear of foreign entanglements. Many Americans also expressed opposition, feeling the treaty was overly harsh, imperialistic, and neglectful of self-determination. President Wilson, who championed the treaty and the League’s establishment, struggled to secure ratification mainly due to intense opposition and his failure to include important senators in discussions, which diminished his support. Consequently, the treaty was ultimately turned down by Congress, preventing the U.S. from joining the League of Nations, which in turn undermined the League’s effectiveness in addressing global conflicts, leaving the U.S. officially at war with Germany until the Knox-Porter Resolution was enacted.

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