A body blow to the League Flashcards
What and who did Wilson need approval from before the USA could even join the League?
He needed the approval of the congress (the American ‘parliament’)
What was the general idea about the League in the USA at this time?
The idea of a League was not at all popular
What was the League supposed to enforce?
It was supposed to enforce the Treaty of Versailles
Give four reasons why the League was an unpopular idea in the USA at the time
- The League was supposed to enforce the Treaty of Versailles, however millions of Americans had German ancestors so they hated the Treaty.
- Some feared that joint the League meant sending US soldiers to settle every little conflict around the world.
- Some were worried that they were going to impose sanctions and this might affect American trade
- Some feared that the League would be dominated by Britain or France - many Americans’ were anti-empires
Did Wilson belong to the Republican Party or Democratic Party?
Democratic Party
What happened to Wilson in 1920?
He became seriously ill after having a stroke
When did Wilson take the proposal of the League back to the congress?
March 1920
What were the results of the vote?
Wilson was defeated - 49 votes to 35
What was the name of the Republican candidate?
Warren Harding
What did Warren Harding campaign for?
He campaigned for America to be isolationist (i.e not to get involved in international alliance but follow its own policies and self-interest)
What was Warren Hardings slogan?
‘Return to normalcy’ (life before the war)
When did the League open?
January 1920
Did America ever join the League?
No - this was a personal rebuff for Wilson and the Democrats, but it was also a body blow to the League
