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League of Nations: Topics in Chronicling America

After World War One, the League of Nations was created as a forum for resolving international disputes. This guide provides access to materials related to the "League of Nations" in the Chronicling America digital collection of historic newspapers.

Introduction

"England, France and Italy are getting a start for World Peace and World Trade, by accepting the League of Nations while Uncle Sam is held back." November 8, 1919. Dearborn Independent (Dearborn, MI), Image 1. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers.

In 1920, Woodrow Wilson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for conceptualizing and helping to form an organization that the United States never joined- the League of Nations. A fierce struggle between Presidential and Congressional power, the United States’ Senate refusal to ratify the Treaty of Versailles and join the League of Nations was hotly debated following the end of World War I. Read more about it!

The information in this guide focuses on primary source materials found in the digitized historic newspapers from the digital collection Chronicling America.

The timeline below highlights important dates related to this topic and a section of this guide provides some suggested search strategies for further research in the collection.

Timeline

January 8, 1918 President Woodrow Wilson presents his Fourteen Points to Congress which introduces his idea for a League of Nations.
January 1919 League of Nations created at Paris Peace Conference.
February 3-14, 1919 League of Nations Covenant is drafted.
March 2, 1919 U.S. Senate opposes League of Nations until peace treaty is completed.
April 11, 1919 Geneva chosen as the location for the League of Nations.
January 16, 1920 First League Council session takes place in Paris.
January 16, 1920 U.S. Senate votes against U.S. participation in the League.
November 15 - December 18, 1920 First League Assembly session meets.