Woodrow Wilson vs Henry Cabot Lodge - Essay Example

Essay, History and Political Science Essay, History and Political Science: Woodrow Wilson vs. Henry Cabot Lodge "After the First World War two dominant opinions regarding America’s future emerged. One envisioned by Woodrow Wilson and his League of Nations and the other by Henry Cabot Lodge and his independent America. Summarize both positions" October 08, 2013 Essay, History and Political Science: Woodrow Wilson vs Henry Cabot LodgE This paper discuses the conflict and dispute between Mr. Woodrow Wilson, the Democrat President of USA and Henry Cabot Lodge, the Republican chairperson of the Senate Foreign relations Committee, in 1919 after WWI.

The arguments were about the League of Nations that was formed as a part of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. This paper summarizes the augments and positions of both personalities. The discussion will also examine the vision that was most appropriate for the US in 1919 and which is most appropriate for the US today. Summary of arguments by Mr. Wilson: Before WWI USA lived in a state of isolation, separated as it was from Europe by the great ocean and it did adopted the policy of 'isolationism'.

Britain and other European nations forced many trade restrictions on USA in a bid to curb its influence. During WWI, USA did not initially join the war and it only joined later and sided with the allies and its participation turned the tide and the allies won the war. President Wilson wanted to make use of this newfound status as a powerful force and supported the League of Nations. The League was a formal group of nations that had the main mission of maintaining peace and avoiding wars. As per the treaty of Versailles in 1919, Wilson proposed 14 principles.

The league did not have its own army but depended on armed forces from member nations. In case of conflict, wars and persecution of minorities, the league could ask member nations to send forces. Wilson, fresh from the success of WWI and the proved American dominance wanted his country to actively join the league and take up policing of peace initiatives across the world. His argument was that by becoming the torchbearer of peace, USA could dominate world politics, interfere in disputes, control trade and become a leading power, overthrowing even UK and USSR that had become a communist nation.

While world peace was the supposed main motive, US dominance of world politics was the 'hidden agenda' of Mr. Wilson (Brands, 23-26). Summary of arguments of Mr. Cabot: The Republican Senate member Mr. Cabot was against the one of the main principles of the 14 principles and this was that member nations had to 'mandatorily' send forces to assist other members. The argument of the senator was that Mr. Wilson did not consult him and other senate members while making these commitments and further that the US senate alone had the power to decide when to send forces to aid other nations.

His vision for USA was to take the nation back to isolation and keep away from the world politics. He also insisted that USA should have a veto power so that this power can be exercised to either support a cause or stop the league from acting against any cause that would harm USA allies or its interests. Mr. Lodge argues that USA was the savior and best hope for the world. However, if USA began interfering in the quarrels and fights of other nations, then it would be tangled in the murky affairs of Europe that were filled with petty intrigues and that resulted in WWI.

His argument was that American sovereignty would suffer and US forces would be available to quarrelsome nations across the world. He wanted the treaty amended so that his points and considerations were included (Hewes, 246-247). Appropriate vision for US in 1919 and now: the net result was that due to the objections of Mr. Lodge, the democrats, USA fell out of the treaty, and the League of Nations was formed without USA. This meant that the League was toothless, without any army and it could not enforce peace.

This led to the disastrous WWII and a further realigning of global politics and formation of the United Nations Organization with its own army. The appropriate vision for the League of Nations in 1919 should have been similar to the one that UNO has adopted. Mr. Wilson should have backed down and accepted some of the arguments and recommendations made by the Democrats and Mr. Lodge. Such an action would have given the League sufficient enforcing power, helped to restrict Hitler and allowed USA to remain independent while retaining its veto and dominant position (Northedge, 67-69).

By not allowing this to happen, Wilson and Lodge allowed other communist super powers such as Russia and China to become political influencers who have many times challenged American dominance in regions such as North Korea, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Pakistan, Cuba and other regions. This vision also holds true in the current situation where USA still dominates large areas of the globe and has some leverage in controlling trade and market (Kaniut, 53-56). References Brands, Howe. Six Lessons for the Next President, Lesson 5: Leave Under a Cloud.

New York: Hauenstein Center at Grand. 2008 Hewes, James. "Henry Cabot Lodge and the League of Nations". Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society (American Philosophical Society) 114. 4 (1970): 245–255 Kaniut, Ern. United Nations Reform: The need for legitimacy. PhD Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey CA, USA. 1994. Northedge, Falstaff. The League of Nations: Its Life and Times, 1920–1946. NY: Holmes & Meier. 1986