Part 8/13:
Wilson, ailing after suffering a severe stroke in October 1919, was unable to effectively lobby for ratification. His health decline, combined with his steadfast refusal to compromise on the League's fundamental principles, led to mounting opposition. Efforts to amend the Treaty failed, and by March 1920, the U.S. Senate voted against ratification—effectively blocking American membership.
This defeat was so severe that major newspapers declared the League dead on arrival, marking a significant setback for Wilson's idealistic dream of global collective security. Without the U.S., the League lacked the world’s preeminent power to wield influence effectively.