The first Essay Prompt is U.S Senator Henry Cabot Lodge led the Congressional opposition to President
Woodrow Wilson’s League of Nations proposal, a provision of the Treaty Versailles. He and his supports
succeeded in persuading the majority of senators to vote against ratifying the treaty, which meant that the
United States did not join the League of Nations. On August 12, 1919, Lodge stated the following as part of his
argument against United States membership in the organization.
” The United States is the world’s best hope, but if you fetter her in the interests and quarrels of the other
nations if you tangle her in the intrigues of Europe, you will destroy her power for good and endanger her very
existence. Leave her to march freely through the centuries to come as in the years that have gone.”
Write a four-paragraph essay that responds to Lodge’s statement.
In your first paragraph, state whether you think Lodge was right or wrong to oppose American participation in
the League of Nations. Additionally, make sure that your first paragraph provides a historical context for the
League of Nations proposal. What was it? When was it proposed? Why was it proposed?
The second paragraph, state the pros of the League proposal.
The third paragraph, state the cons of the League proposal.
In the fourth paragraph, answer one ( or more ) of the following questions: What should be the parameters of
the United States’ involvement in the affairs of foreign countries? Can America be the “policeman for the
world?” Does American involvement in foreign conflicts limit freedom at home?
Sample Solution
