preview

League Of Nations Dbq Essay

Decent Essays

The United States had entered World War I against many wishes of the American public, which made the ratification for the peace agreement an even more difficult task. Woodrow Wilson justified American involvement by claiming that an Ally victory would ensure a new world order. The war would be used as an instrument to "make the world safe for democracy". However, many Americans, government officials, and even the Allies did not agree with the progressive ideals that would be enforced to attain the peace that Wilson had desired and promised. This was made evident when Wilson's negotiations for the peace treaty were criticized and rejected by the leaders of the other Allied nations and isolationists. Even when Wilson acknowledged …show more content…

The League was the epitome of Wilson's idealistic values, it would be the main approach to attain the peace between neighboring nations that he guaranteed. However, Republican Senators, some known as irreconcilables, and some fervent isolationists, objected because they believed that American membership would interfere with not only US sovereignty, but also defy constitutional laws, like the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine allowed the United States to oppose European intervention in the Western Hemisphere. By passing the League of Nations, it would violate that right because the United States would unify itself with other world powers, which would entangle Americans in foreign conflicts (Doc E). The League of Nations would also welcome foreign nations to administer control and power over the United States. America's democratic system would be influenced by the values of other forms of government. In a speech by Willian Borah to Congress, he said, "Will anyone advocate… a tribunal created other than by our own people and give it to an international army subject to its direction and control to enforce its decree?" Borah was right. A majority of Americans would not consent to other nations' rule, when many died to gain and protect their freedom and liberty. Borah believed that despite its purpose, this committee, like the war, would only

Get Access