The mandate system phenomenon appeared after the First World War. The victorious powers tried with its help to establish a temporary order in the territories that were cut off from the losing (Germany and Turkey) sides.
Middle East
The new mandate system came into force after the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919. Article 22 of the document stipulated the fate of the colonies of defeated empires.
Turkey lost all its possessions in the Middle East. The Arab ethnic majority still lived here. The victorious countries agreed that the mandated territories should gain independence in the near future. Until that moment, they were under the control of European powers.
Mesopotamia was given to Great Britain. In 1932, these territories became independent and formed the Kingdom of Iraq. Things were more complicated with Palestine. This mandated territory also became British. International jurisdiction here lasted until the Second World War. After its completion in 1948, the lands were divided between Jewish Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Arab government. Features of the mandate system did not allow to resolve the conflict between the twowarring parties. They were Jews and Arabs. Both believed they had legitimate rights to Palestine. As a result, throughout the second half of the 20th century (and today as well) this armed dispute took place.
The Syrian provinces were given to France. A mandate system was also established here. In short, she repeated the principles of British government in neighboring countries. The mandate ended in 1944. All the Middle Eastern territories that were part of Turkey were combined into group "A". Some lands of the former Ottoman Empire immediately after the end of the war fell into the hands of the Arabs. They formed the modern Saudi Arabia. The British helped the Arab national movement during the First World War. Intelligence sent the famous Lawrence of Arabia here.
Africa
Germany was stripped of all its colonies it had taken over the past few decades after the Second Reich was formed. African Tanganyika became a British mandated territory. Rwanda and Urundi passed to Belgium. Southeast Africa was ceded to Portugal. These colonies were assigned to group "B".
It took a long time to decide on the colonies in the west of the continent. In the end, the mandate system confirmed the fact that they were divided between Britain and France. South West Africa or present-day Namibia came under the control of the SA (the forerunner of South Africa).
The mandate system had a number of unique features for its time. States under whose controlterritories fell, guaranteed the observance of the charter of the League of Nations in relation to the indigenous inhabitants. The slave trade was prohibited. In addition, the state that received the mandate did not have the right to build military bases on the acquired lands, as well as form an army from the local population.
Most of the African mandates became independent after World War II. Since the League of Nations was dissolved in 1945, jurisdiction over these lands temporarily passed to the UN. Especially many colonies gained independence within the British Empire. The mandate system ceased to exist - instead of it, the Commonwe alth of Equal Members was created. In all countries of this organization, the English language and British culture have left a serious imprint. The Commonwe alth successfully exists today.
Pacific Ocean
Also, before the war, Germany owned colonies in the Pacific Ocean. They were divided along the equator. The northern part was given to Japan, and the southern part to Australia. These territories passed to the new owners as full-fledged provinces. That is, in this case, the states could dispose of the new land as their own. These were the so-called Group C mandated territories.
Other sanctions
Other restrictions affecting Germany included the renunciation of any privileges and concessions in China. Even in this region, the Germans had rights to the Shandong province. They were handed over to Japan. All property in Southeast Asia was confiscated. Alsothe German government recognized the acquisitions of the allies in Africa. So Morocco became French and Egypt became British.
