State Historical Society of Iowa

Albert B. Cummins Speech on the League of Nations, February 1919

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Courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa, Cummins, Albert B., pp. 2-4, 30-31, February 1919

Description

This is a copy of Iowa U.S. Senator Albert B. Cummins' speech before a joint session of Congress. The focus of the speech is about the League of Nations' constitution. Senator Cummins joined Senator Henry Cabot Lodge in his reservationist stance. While there were aspects of the League of Nations that Cummins agreed with specifically arbitration by an international group, he like Senator Lodge was opposed to article 10 over concerns this would bring the US into conflicts around the world.

Transcript of Albert B. Cummins Speech on the League of Nations

Source Dependent Questions

  • What evidence does this source provide for American ideals that reservationists like Senators Lodge and Cumming felt were best served by retreating from global interactions?
  • How did Senator Cummings' argument against the League differ from Lodge's argument? In what ways did they agree?
  • How did Cummins reconcile his rejection of isolationism with his vote against involvement in the League of Nations? Do you agree with Senator Cummins' argument? Support your answer with evidence from this or other sources.

Citation Information

Roosevelt, Franklin D., "Americanism," 1920. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress