Lodge was one of President Woodrow Wilson’s harshest critics during World War I (1914-1918). After Wilson refused to support him as secretary of state in 1915 (Wilson chose Robert Lansing instead), Lodge became an outspoken critic of U.S. foreign policy throughout his career.
Lodge helped draft the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I. He later opposed President Woodrow Wilson’s decision to sign the document because he felt that it did not sufficiently punish Germany for its aggression during the war. Lodge felt that it was premature and not in line with America’s interests at the time. However, he did support Wilson’s efforts to create a new international organization that could prevent future wars and promote peace around the world.
In 1919, he delivered what came to be known as “the war speech,” in which he told his colleagues that if they didn’t make sure that Germany paid for its crimes against humanity, “then you will have another war with Germany within ten years.” He also disagreed with Woodrow Wilson’s decision to enter the war in 1917, which he believed had been unnecessary.
Lodge also served as a key figure in the Senate during the 1920s, opposing President Warren Harding’s isolationist foreign policy. He remained an influential voice in American politics until 1924.
