why did the U.S. refuse to ratify the treaty of Versailles?

Answer 1

The US senate and congress was leery of any treaty that were "entangling." That is they did not want to be forced to do anything.

Answer 2

There are several reasons the U.S. did not ratify the Treaty of Versailles. First of all, as was already stated, the people of the United States were disillusioned. They had been told that they were the "good guys" and that this was going to be a "war to end all wars." However, as the war ended and the images became clear, people realised that this war was not a pretty affair, and they wanted nothing to do with it.
Secondly, many people in the U.S. were wary of Wilson's League of Nations (a precursor to the United Nations of today). It violated George Washington's farewell address which stated that the United States should avoid entangling alliances and should stay out of European affairs as much as possible.
The third, and one of the greatest reasons, which is often overlooked, requires the examination of Henry Cabot Lodge, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Pres. Woodrow Wilson and Lodge were bitter enemies. Thus, when Wilson went to France to discuss peace, he did not take Lodge with him. So, when Wilson called for the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles and of his Fourteen Points, he needed the backing of Henry Cabot Lodge because of his position on the Foreign Relations Committee. However, he did not get Lodge's support since he failed to take him to France. Consequently, Wilson toured the United States trying to raise support for the League of Nations and the Treaty of Versailles, but at the same time, Lodge and the Republicans were following his campaign trail, stating the opposite. Wilson's health failed, and the Treaty of Versailles failed to get ratified. Consequently, the United States entered into a period of isolation, leading to the rise of Japan and Germany into WWII.

Answer 3

Actually, Wilson did want the treaty to be ratified, but it was the Congress that refused to do so. Plus, the U.S. wanted to reject the whole experience of the war and was disillusioned by it.Thus, it lead to the Isolation period in the '20s and the '30s.

Answer 4

Because Wilson felt it was unfair the way the other European powers wanted to treat Germany and the Austrian Empire after the Armistice, but did not have the vocal and factual leadership that the US would latter have in WWII to win the discussion over the hawks of France.

He decided to use the political convenient flag of the Monroe doctrine to claim that US should not meddle in European affairs just as it did not tolerate Europe to meddle in the Americas to escape the ratification of Versailles treaty.

The Congress supported him and ultimately, almost 30 years latter, ended up forcing the USA to divide Europe with the USSR after the Nazis were defeated.

Answer 5

The treaty was not what we, and initially the Germans, agreed to--Wilson's 14 points. We knew it was a recipe for disaster. But Hitler got revenge by forcing the French to sign a treaty of control to Germany in the very same railcar.

Answer 6

The most important point not yet stated was the creation of the League of Nations. A precursor to the UN which the Senate did not like.

Answer 7

Although Woodrow Wilson was a big advocate, I believe that the U.S. wanted to return to a state of isolationalism.

Answer 8

They wanted to keep neutral and stay out of Europe's drama...
no no no no drama... haha

Answer 9

"because of a fear that it would pull the United States into European affairs"

Answer 10

Some lite reading for you.