Pages 639 to 645 of chapter 20 address the issue of revolutionary anxieties, which was triggered by German radicals. The US President, Woodrow Wilson, believed that it was the best opportunity to facilitate peace and initiated the treaty discussion with France, Britain, and Italy, to caution the country against the swelling wave of revolution. The Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles since it guaranteed that the US would actively participate in wars rather than avoid it.
The US retreated from taking a more global role because of the costs associated with such actions. The country participated in the First World War, incurring considerable costs and having numerous casualties. Although the US emerged victoriously, the economy was negatively affected because more resources were directed to the battle instead of development. Therefore, leaders felt that the best way to accelerate economic growth was by avoiding participation in conflicts in other parts of the world.