Henry Cabot Lodge and other senators opposed

ratification of the Treaty of Versailles (1919)

because they believed the treaty

(1) failed to punish Germany for its involvement

in World War I

(2) excluded reparations for European allies

(3) could draw the United States into future

conflicts

(4) placed blame for World War I on all the

warring countries

Henry Cabot Lodge and other senators opposed ratification of the Treaty of Versailles (1919) because they believed the treaty 3. could draw the United States into future conflicts. Remember that the period of international involvement marked by Woodrow Wilson's presidency and World War I was a new situation for the previously isolated United States. A great number of policymakers still advocated that idea of isolationism - avoiding involvement abroad. While they were able to block the ratification of the Versailles Treaty, the United States would continue to become more and more involved in international affairs as the century progressed.