influence and the willingness of other nations to embrace his idealistic principles. Although the United States emerged from the war more powerful it still lacked the military might or economic wherewithal to impose its will. Great Britain and France were not persuaded by Wilson’s vision; both insisting on reparations and annexations that would cripple Germany’s ability to wage war. Wilson rejected attempts to place the entire cost of the war on Germany, but he acquiesced to a clause assigning guilt to Germany and imposing extensive reparations. The Treaty of Versailles imposed a vindictive peace that rejected the ideals Wilson had championed. Furthermore, it fueled a feeling of “intense dissatisfaction among three of the four strongest Continental states (Germany, Russia and Italy).” The victor’s peace imposed severe economic hardship on war devastated European countries that all but assured another war would follow. Magnifying Wilson’s failure to achieve his progressive goals was the rejection of the treaty by the U.S. Senate and the nation 's failure to assume the leadership role in the world he had envisioned, particularly an economic
influence and the willingness of other nations to embrace his idealistic principles. Although the United States emerged from the war more powerful it still lacked the military might or economic wherewithal to impose its will. Great Britain and France were not persuaded by Wilson’s vision; both insisting on reparations and annexations that would cripple Germany’s ability to wage war. Wilson rejected attempts to place the entire cost of the war on Germany, but he acquiesced to a clause assigning guilt to Germany and imposing extensive reparations. The Treaty of Versailles imposed a vindictive peace that rejected the ideals Wilson had championed. Furthermore, it fueled a feeling of “intense dissatisfaction among three of the four strongest Continental states (Germany, Russia and Italy).” The victor’s peace imposed severe economic hardship on war devastated European countries that all but assured another war would follow. Magnifying Wilson’s failure to achieve his progressive goals was the rejection of the treaty by the U.S. Senate and the nation 's failure to assume the leadership role in the world he had envisioned, particularly an economic