League of Nations
League of Nations
In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924; served 1913–21) developed a peace program called “Fourteen Points.” His vision imagined a world without secret alliances or imperialism (the dominance of one country over many others). It was important to Wilson that even weaker countries be heard alongside stronger ones.
The last of his Fourteen Points called for the formation of a League of Nations, an international alliance to preserve peace. Representatives from all countries would join and work to solve international disputes without war. The League was established in 1920, and ironically, the U.S. Senate voted against joining, because most Senate members agreed that the United States was already involved in too many of Europe's disputes and conflicts. The American public supported this stance. As a result, the United States never joined the League of Nations, though American diplomats did encourage the League's activities and attend its meetings unofficially.
It became clear that the League had failed in its mission to prevent war when World War II (1939–45) began. The organization disbanded in 1946 and was replaced by the United Nations. For his efforts toward international peace, Wilson received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1920.