Henry Cabbot Lodge
...The fourteenth point would establish an association of nations guaranteeing political independence to big and small states alike. After Germany signed the Armistice, Wilson went to Paris with the Treaty of Versailles in late 1918. The treaty contained the Covenant of the League of Nations. In November 1918 though, the balance in Congress moved to the republicans. With this victory Henry Cabot Lodge became the Senate Majority Leader. Lodge used this position to oppose Wilson’s plan for the League of Nations. Lodge is considered by many historians today as Wilson’s greatest political nemesis. He was almost always against all of Wilson’s liberal ideals. Lodge was critical of the way Wilson carried out America’s successful role in the First World War, but held back cautiously until Wilson’s proposal of the League of Nations. Lodge endlessly campaigned against United States participation in the League of Nations because he was very suspicious of any attempt to unreasonably involve the United States in international politics. He felt the League would do exactly that. He Spoke out because the League would obligate the United States to get involved with territorial integrity and political independence of any nation or interfere with controversies between nations in the League or not. The United States Constitution already gave Congress the sole authority to declare war. Lodge viewed it as if Congress could decide on its own whether or not a war is worth fighting instead of a league where American interest was not its highest priority. Domestic problems come first and involving America with frivolous foreign troubles would let domestic problems linger. The United States shouldn’t submit to arbitration by the League of Nations but rely on its long-established policy. Henry Cabot Lodge spoke in Washington to the president on August 12, 1919 to put the idea of being in the League of Nations to rest. He decided to do it in Washington, D.C. because it is “the” best strategic position for the president and other people in the political realm to hear a speech on a subject which would shape the next generation of American history. This speech basically sent the message to Congress to stop Wilson’s plan. Wilson refused to compromise with any Republican amendments to his plan. This refusal ultimately killed any chance of it getting passed through Congress. Cabot Lodge’s viewpoint prevailed over the president and the United States never joined the League of Nations. In the speech to the president, Lodge argued for ongoing development of an increased army and navy. Lodge wanted military strength to be a pre-requisite to diplomatic power. Lodge stresses the importance of independence of the United States in the first line of the speech. He admits to our nation making mistakes, but also compares United States success with the rest of the world as a whole. The United States wins the race in liberty, peace and in having more freedoms than any other nation on earth. While unselfishness will be good for mankind, he states that every nation has their own interests and needs to protect. He wants the president and every American to know that there is grave danger in an unshared idealism. Lodge is all about helping others in times of need, but also realizes the fact that helping yourself comes first. He uses his flaw of selfishness to his advantage by saying an American he was born, and an American he will remain. This strikes a sense of patriotism in everyone, helping him win over doubters. He also uses this to make reference to the fact that if America fails, the world fails. Lodge is making sure that everyone knows helping America is helping the world. Honoring the American flag is all living Americans have known and being under a world flag would change tradition. Changing tradition, he says, endangers America’s very existence. He wants every American to not take this country’s liberty for granted because if we do, freedom and civilization, not just in our own country, will fall hard. Woodrow Wilson said if the United States does not join the League of Nations then we will “break the heart of the world”. This does not concern Henry Cabot Lodge. He believes that the majority of mankind would carry on strongly if the League of Nations did not even exist. He goes on to tear down the phony picture, being painted by Wilson, of the present and future being in such bad shape. He knows the future cannot be...