Why did the USA not join the League of Nations? L.O.: To understand why America stayed out of the League Starter Get into pairs, and look at sources 6A and 6B on page 231 of your textbook. You each need to write down your answers to the following questions after discussing them between yourselves: Which cartoon is optimistic about the League, and which is pessimistic? In what ways does source 6A show optimism about the League of Nations? In what ways is source 6B critical of the USA?

Starter

Get into pairs, and look at sources 6A and 6B on page 231 of your textbook.

You each need to write down your answers to the following questions after discussing them between yourselves:

Which cartoon is optimistic about the League, and which is pessimistic?

In what ways does source 6A show optimism about the League of Nations?

In what ways is source 6B critical of the USA?

Treaty of Versailles unpopular with many European immigrants to the USA – they thought it was unfair to Germany and the US should stay out of it. USA should be isolationist – stay out of European affairs. The League would mean being involved in lots of little disputes. Businessmen in the USA said the League would affect US trade – being involved would be harmful to America’s power in the world. Britain and France would use the League to guard their own Empires – why would the USA want to spend time and money doing that?

Look at source 5 on page 231. Write the report which would go with the headline of the New York Times. Remember the following things when you are writing the report: It is being aimed at an AMERICAN audience, so the tone and language of the report needs to reflect that. You need to outline the reasons for America’s refusal to join the League of Nations. You need to give your own, personal opinion on what consequences there may be of America refusing to join up.

Look at source 5 on page 231. Write the report which would go with the headline of the New York Times. Remember the following things when you are writing the report:

It is being aimed at an AMERICAN audience, so the tone and language of the report needs to reflect that.

You need to outline the reasons for America’s refusal to join the League of Nations.

You need to give your own, personal opinion on what consequences there may be of America refusing to join up.

Summary To an American, what would be the biggest reason for not joining the League of Nations out of the four we have discussed?

To an American, what would be the biggest reason for not joining the League of Nations out of the four we have discussed?