this very clearly supports a reluctance to get into WWI on the part of the United States:
Firmly maintaining neutrality when World War I began in 1914, the United States entered the war against Germany only after Germany announced that its U-boats would conduct unrestricted submarine warfare against neutral shipping and the U.S. discovered that the Germans had attempted to ask Mexico to go to war against the United States in case the United States went to war with Germany. Sympathies among many politically and industrially influential Americans had favored the British and French cause from the start of the war; however, a sizable number of citizens (which included many of Irish and German extraction) were staunchly opposed to U.S. involvement in the European conflict (at least on the British side), and the vote in Congress, on April 6, 1917, to declare war was far from unanimous.
Further evidence rebutting this comment
But Americans have always had this unique spur to global involvement, an ideological righteousness that inclines them to meddle in the affairs of others, to seek change, to insist on imposing their avowed "universal principles" usually through peaceful pressures but sometimes through war.
The great alarm felt by these senators was created by Article X of the Covenant which read as follows: "Article X. The Members of the League undertake to respect and preserve as against external aggression the territorial integrity and existing political independence of all Members of the League. In case of any such aggression or in case of any threat or danger of such aggression the Council shall advise upon the means by which this obligation shall be fulfilled." This article, it was claimed, "threw away" the sovereignty of the United States, violated Washington's last message to Congress to keep free from foreign entanglements, and would forever involve the US in foreign wars to protect the territories of other actions. These arguments aroused the Americans, and many began to wonder to what extent the League might keep the US involved in international disputes and wars. <snip>. ,,,,,consequently the resolution was lost by a vote of 57-37. In the general election of the following November, Wilson appealed to the people to support the League. The result of the election, which was fought chiefly on the League, was an overwhelming Republican victory. This was taken as the death knell of the League in America - and so it was.
These arguments aroused the Americans, and many began to wonder to what extent the League might keep the US involved in international disputes and wars.
<snip>.
,,,,,consequently the resolution was lost by a vote of 57-37. In the general election of the following November, Wilson appealed to the people to support the League. The result of the election, which was fought chiefly on the League, was an overwhelming Republican victory. This was taken as the death knell of the League in America - and so it was.
While there was some support for economic support for the Allies in WWII, there was very strong support for staying out of the war and other people's affairs. It took a surprise attack upon Pearl Harbor to push America into war with Japan. And then it took a German declaration of war on the US, to draw a reciprocal declaration of war on Germany. From Wikipedia
On December 7, a Japanese carrier fleet launched an unexpected air attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The raid destroyed most of the American aircraft on the island and knocked the main American battle fleet out of action (six battleships sank, but four of them along with two other badly damaged battleships eventually returned to service). ...... The attack united American public opinion to demand vengeance against Japan. The following day, December 8, the United States declared war on Japan. ........ Germany declared war on the United States on December 11, even though it was not obliged to do so under the Tripartite Pact. Hitler hoped that Japan would support Germany by attacking the Soviet Union. Japan did not oblige because it had signed a non-aggression treaty with the Soviet Union. Instead, Germany's declaration largely removed any significant opposition to the United States' joining the fight in the Europe Theater with full commitment.
The attack united American public opinion to demand vengeance against Japan. The following day, December 8, the United States declared war on Japan. ........
Germany declared war on the United States on December 11, even though it was not obliged to do so under the Tripartite Pact. Hitler hoped that Japan would support Germany by attacking the Soviet Union. Japan did not oblige because it had signed a non-aggression treaty with the Soviet Union. Instead, Germany's declaration largely removed any significant opposition to the United States' joining the fight in the Europe Theater with full commitment.
These statements are a blatant and a very transparent rewrite of history. His statements are evidently for "public consumption".
Except that Wilson was reelected for his second term in 1916, then entered the war, then lost control of Congress in the 1918 midterm, and then advocated for the league of nations and lost the Senate vote in 1919.
You seem to have a penchant for reversing chains of events. Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides
The signatory nations to the Treaty all ratified it, which meant acceptance of the League. Mr. Wilson, seeing a change of sentiment, began a speaking tour of the country to restore sentiment in favor of the League. He was successful in arousing the people of the Pacific Coast to his support. But the strain of the tour was too much for the President and he collapsed at Wichita, Kansas, on September 26, 1919. There were some attempts at a compromise on Article X by President Wilson and his opponents, and certain reservations were voted on against President Wilson's wishes. After two votes on November 13 and November 19, in which the Democrats, on Mr. Wilson's advice, did not vote, the opponents of the League voted for ratification of the Treaty with reservations, but failed to carry the resolution. President Wilson was incompetent through illness to lead the Democratic part, and, as he had no lieutenant capable of taking his place, the championship for the League became weak. Finally, on March 20, 1920, a resolution of ratification was presented and again President Wilson advised the Democratic senators not to vote for it; consequently the resolution was lost by a vote of 57-37. In the general election of the following November, Wilson appealed to the people to support the League. The result of the election, which was fought chiefly on the League, was an overwhelming Republican victory. This was taken as the death knell of the League in America - and so it was.
There were some attempts at a compromise on Article X by President Wilson and his opponents, and certain reservations were voted on against President Wilson's wishes. After two votes on November 13 and November 19, in which the Democrats, on Mr. Wilson's advice, did not vote, the opponents of the League voted for ratification of the Treaty with reservations, but failed to carry the resolution. President Wilson was incompetent through illness to lead the Democratic part, and, as he had no lieutenant capable of taking his place, the championship for the League became weak. Finally, on March 20, 1920, a resolution of ratification was presented and again President Wilson advised the Democratic senators not to vote for it; consequently the resolution was lost by a vote of 57-37. In the general election of the following November, Wilson appealed to the people to support the League. The result of the election, which was fought chiefly on the League, was an overwhelming Republican victory. This was taken as the death knell of the League in America - and so it was.
Wilson was not the candidate due to stroke, but the primary issue in the 1920 presidential election was the League of Nations, and Wilson's views on it:
The United States presidential election of 1920 was dominated by the aftermath of World War I. The wartime boom had collapsed. Diplomats and politicians were arguing over peace treaties and the question of America's entry into the League of Nations......Outgoing President Woodrow Wilson was deeply unpopular: the economy was in a recession, Wilson's prosecution of the war had angered several traditionally Democratic constituencies, and his sponsorship of the League of Nations ran counter to American isolationism which had been strengthened by World War I's butcher bill.....Both major parties turned to dark horse candidates from the elector-rich state of Ohio. The Democrats nominated newspaper publisher and Governor James M. Cox to take on Senator Warren G. Harding. Harding essentially campaigned against Wilson, and, with an almost 4-to-1 spending advantage, beat Cox in a landslide.
Even so, they were finally sold, and look how they were sold: War to End All Wars; Make the World Safe for Democracy, &c. The Fates are kind.
Even so, they were finally sold, and look how they were sold: War to End All Wars; Make the World Safe for Democracy
And that doesn 't mean they won't change their mind down the road. Rationale people do, as events unfold, and situations change.
