A 1919 Punch cartoon titled ‘The Gap in the Bridge’ showed Uncle Sam sleeping on the missing keystone of this

The Final Jeopardy clue for Wednesday, April 23, 2025, came from the category 20th-Century History. Contestants were asked to identify the subject referenced in the 1919 British cartoon The Gap in the Bridge, which portrayed Uncle Sam asleep on a critical, missing keystone.

What is the League of Nations?

This clue reached into the aftermath of World War I, highlighting one of the most significant diplomatic efforts of the 20th century—and a pivotal moment in U.S. foreign policy. The cartoon, published in the satirical British magazine Punch, criticized the absence of the United States from the League of Nations, the international body proposed by President Woodrow Wilson and established by the Treaty of Versailles.

The Symbolism Behind the Cartoon

The cartoon illustrated a stone bridge labeled “The League of Nations,” spanning a chasm with one conspicuous gap at the top—where the keystone should have been. That keystone was labeled “U.S.A.” Uncle Sam is shown resting beside it, oblivious to the instability his absence causes. The image underscored the belief among European observers that the League, though operational, was structurally incomplete without the backing of the United States.

The keystone, an architectural term referring to the central stone that holds an arch together, was a clear metaphor for the indispensable role America was expected to play. While Wilson was instrumental in the League’s creation, he was ultimately unable to secure congressional approval for U.S. membership, largely due to opposition in the Senate and growing isolationist sentiment.

The U.S. Rejection and Its Global Impact

The United States Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 and again in 1920, effectively preventing American participation in the League. The decision was driven by concerns about being drawn into future European conflicts and by opposition to Article X of the League Covenant, which some senators feared would entangle the U.S. in foreign wars without congressional approval.

The absence of the United States severely weakened the League’s ability to enforce collective security and resolve international disputes. While the organization continued to function through the 1920s and 1930s, it lacked the authority and influence to curb the aggressions that would eventually lead to World War II. Critics have long argued that U.S. involvement might have changed the League’s effectiveness—or at least strengthened its diplomatic weight.

Historical Significance of the League’s Failure

The League of Nations was dissolved in 1946, its mission taken up by the newly formed United Nations. The failure of the League served as a cautionary tale about the importance of global cooperation, the dangers of political division at home, and the limits of idealism without legislative backing. For many historians, it remains a key moment when international hopes collided with national hesitation.

In retrospect, the cartoon The Gap in the Bridge captures not just a moment in history but a broader commentary on American engagement with the world. It reminds modern audiences how visual media and satire can effectively convey complex geopolitical issues, and how the absence of a single nation can reverberate through global institutions.

Why This Clue Resonates in Today’s Climate

More than a century later, the themes from this Final Jeopardy clue still echo in modern debates over international alliances and multilateral organizations. The U.S. role on the world stage continues to generate discussion, from NATO commitments to participation in global climate agreements. The League of Nations, as a forerunner to the UN, provides historical context for current diplomatic structures and the enduring question of how much power one nation holds in maintaining global order.

This Jeopardy clue did more than test contestants’ historical recall—it brought forward a moment of profound consequence, inviting viewers to reflect on decisions that shaped the modern world.