Question 2: Should the United States join the League of Nations?
Read the documents below to help you develop your opinion on this essential question regarding the future of our world and the precarious peace President Wilson has worked to establish in Versailles.
Submit your comments below. For each question, every student should:
- Write a comment using evidence to back up your opinion (either by referencing the document or referencing specific facts discussed in class or in your readings)
- Ask a question
- Respond to someone else's comment or question
Document 1: President Wilson presents the Treaty of Versailles to the Senate
A league of free nations had become a practical necessity. ...
That there should be a league of nations to steady the counsels and maintain the peaceful understandings of the world ... [is] the basis of peace with the central powers. The statesmen of all the belligerent countries were agreed that such a league must be created to sustain the settlements that were to be effected. ... The League of Nations was the practical statesman’s hope of success in many of the most difficult things he was attempting.
Document 2: Henry Cabot Lodge's Reservations
The United States assumes no obligation to preserve the territorial integrity or political independence of any other country or to interfere in controversies between nations -- whether members of the League or not -- under the provisions of Article 10, or to employ the military or naval forces of the United States under any article of the treaty for any purpose, unless in any particular case the Congress, which, under the Constitution, has the sole power to declare war or authorize the employment of the military or naval forces of the United States, shall by act or joint resolution so provide. ...
If the United States shall at any time adopt any plan for the limitation of armaments proposed by the Council of the League of Nations under the provisions of Article 8, it reserves the right to increase such armaments without the consent of the Council whenever the United States is threatened with invasion or engaged in war.
Document 3: Excerpt from a speech by Senator Robinson (Democrat from Arkansas)
No senator can doubt that the repudiation by the United States of the undertaking in Article 10 to respect and preserve the territorial integrity and political independence of the other members of the League weakens, if it does not destroy, one of the principal agencies or means provided by the League for the prevention of international war.
The United States should not join the league of nations. Yes, it might be a good idea since it will act as a mediator for problems but it can also cause bigger problems. One of the ideas of the league is that if one member gets attacked all the other will respond, this takes away the idea of neutrality that has been needed ever since Washigntons's farewell address. The league will not give the us the choice of being involved in a war simply staying out.
ReplyDeleteI agree, because the United States did not want to be connected to other nation's affairs.
DeleteWhat bigger problems would the League of Nation create?
DeleteIt could cause unnecessary wars if all the league goes against the aggressor.
DeleteI agree since past alliances might encourage nations to help their past ally if the're the aggressor and the rest of the league attacks it.
DeleteDid the League not seem powerful enough because it did not have an army?
ReplyDeleteJoining the League of Nations could create greater obligations that the United States did not want to be involved in. For example, the United States believed, thanks to George Washington, that it was best to stay out of foreign affairs. However, the league of nations called for collective security, which meant that if one nation was attacked, all nations would act.
ReplyDeleteI disagree, the creation of the League of Nations was maintain worldwide peace even if it meant to attack another nation in order to decrease its power.
DeleteWouldn't the security that falls on other nations also fall on the United States?
DeleteThe United States should join the League of Nations because this international organization will maintain peace all around the world by protecting one another from attacks that may become another World War.
ReplyDeleteBut what if the "peace" they are trying to create causes the war (like if all the league attacks one country)?
DeleteThe United States should join the League of Nations since it will enforce the effectiveness of the League if one of the most powerful nations is part of it.
ReplyDeleteThe US shouldn't join the League of Nations because it would deprive US citizens from deciding if they wish to go to war at all. It would be unfair to lose hundreds of American lives in a war the US had nothing to do with.
ReplyDeleteThese citizens you speak of must be only congressmen, as they are the only citizens that have a say in whether the U.S wars. In that case they are not being deprived of the decision they are merely deciding in advance to war with any aggressive nation.
DeleteI agree. It is unreasonable to make the people of the United States suffer for something that does not concern them.
DeleteAs Washington said in his farewell address to prevent international problems
DeleteAs a rising and powerful nation, it it the United States' duty to join the League Of Nations. Yes of course it will suffer from the enrollment, but doesn't any man who enrolls in the military? Yet he does anyway, for the greater good. This is exactly what is needed to ensure the international peace between the Central Powers and the Allies.
ReplyDeleteHow is it the duty of the United States to join into the League of Nations? In fact, it shouldn't really be anyones duty to join a organization that could potentially lead them to unecessary conflicts.
DeleteBut those *"unnecessary conflicts" would be for the purpose of maintaining peace throughout the world and between nations
DeleteThe United States should join the League of Nations, as while it provides disadvantages they can easily turn into benefits. While it is true that the U.S would get drag into war by a conflict happening miles away from the main country, should the U.S begin a conflict and in need of help, then we would have protection.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteIs it really worth it to risk the American people or anything else needed for a conflict the US has nothing to do with?
DeleteThe United States should join the League of Nations. Yes, it would mean being involved in foreign conflict potentially endangering our own but it would ultimately be in the name of worldwide peace.
ReplyDeleteWould joining the League of Nations be unconstitutional?
ReplyDeleteBecause it overrode Congress's power to declare war yes.
DeleteThe United States should not join the League of Nations because it would do the exact opposite of its purpose. There would be more problems than if the US would not join.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of problems would United States face?
DeleteAccording to document 1, U.S. should join the League of Nations for the peace towards the Central Powers in Europe
ReplyDeleteWhat would be some benefits given to the United States if it joined the League?
ReplyDelete