President HUghes at Versailles

Had a few votes been different in 1916 and Hughes became President I think it is still very likely that the US would have been involved in WW1.

There would not have been the 14 points.

However what would America's role at the Peace conference have been.

Could a League of Nations or something similar have emerged? Could the US have been part of it
 
1. Nope, there would not have been.

2. Probably toning down some of the strongest anti-German demands, not much otherwise.

3. No and no.
 
Disagree on point 3: the League wasn't an original idea with Wilson; his nemesis--yes, TR--propounded a similar idea years before. Although TR and Hughes didn't see eye to eye personally, I don't doubt they could have put aside such differences to work together. And Hughes was sufficiently astute to recognize the value of TR's experience at international negotiations and his existing prestige with the chancelleries of Europe. Short version: something similar to the LN would likely have emerged with a treaty acceptable to Lodge, Johnson, Borah, et. al. in the Senate, meaning yes, the US would have taken part.
 
Top