How Did Woodrow Wilson Justified Dbq

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 objections against his proposals, he refused to accept any compromises or different versions of the treaty. Therefore, both the inflexibility of Wilson and strength of the opposition forces led to the defeat of the Treaty of Versailles. Woodrow Wilson's battle for ratification with the Senate proved to be difficult and time consuming. From the beginning, Wilson had already angered and frustrated the Republicans, when he advocated Democratic votes for the midterm elections of 1918. However, in that
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 further trap America into unwanted and unnecessary international dilemmas (Doc