1. Sole Negotiator: Wilson insisted on being the sole negotiator of the treaty without consulting or allowing significant input from members of the U.S. Senate. This approach marginalized influential senators and created resentment, leading some to oppose the treaty as a matter of principle.
2. Lack of Bipartisanship: Wilson failed to engage with Republican leaders in the Senate and seek bipartisan support for the treaty. Instead, he relied primarily on his Democratic colleagues, which further alienated Republican senators and limited the chances of ratification.
3. Reluctance to Compromise: Wilson took a rigid and uncompromising stance during the negotiations at the Paris Peace Conference, refusing to consider modifications to the treaty that might have addressed some of the concerns raised by senators. His inflexibility made it difficult for senators to find common ground and compromise on the treaty's terms.
4. Article X: Article X of the treaty, which committed signatories to preserve the territorial integrity and political independence of all other signatories, was particularly controversial among senators. Some senators feared that this provision might entangle the United States in foreign conflicts and limit its sovereignty, leading to strong opposition to the treaty.
5. Absence from U.S.: During the critical period when the treaty was being debated in the Senate, Wilson decided to embark on a nationwide speaking tour to garner public support for the treaty. However, his absence from Washington meant he was unable to engage in direct negotiations or address concerns raised by senators, further complicating the ratification process.
6. Health Decline: Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke in October 1919, which left him partially paralyzed and unable to actively participate in the political process. This sudden change in his health affected his ability to lobby for the treaty and respond to objections raised by senators.
7. Treaty Reservations: Some senators proposed reservations or amendments to the treaty in order to address their concerns. Wilson initially opposed any changes to the treaty, but eventually agreed to a few reservations. However, these concessions came too late and had already lost the support of many senators.
These actions and decisions by Wilson contributed to the lack of support for the Treaty of Versailles in the Senate. Ultimately, the treaty failed to receive the necessary two-thirds majority vote for ratification, and the United States did not join the League of Nations, which had been established by the treaty.