World War I redrew the map, not just with lines but with promises. One of the biggest transformations? The League of Nations Mandate System. Born from the ashes of the Ottoman and German empires, these mandates were territories deemed 'not yet able to stand by themselves.'
Think of it as international trusteeship, but with a hefty dose of 1920s geopolitics. Victorious Allied powers like Britain and France were assigned as 'mandatory powers' to govern these regions, promising eventual independence. These mandates were categorized as A, B, or C based on their perceived level of development.
'A' mandates, like Iraq and Palestine, were considered closest to self-governance. 'B' mandates in Africa, like Tanganyika, were deemed needing more significant administrative oversight. 'C' mandates, such as South-West Africa (Namibia), were practically annexed.
The mandate system, while ostensibly aimed at guiding territories towards independence, often became a continuation of colonial influence under a new guise. It sparked nationalist movements and laid the groundwork for many of the complex geopolitical landscapes we see today. Understanding the mandate system is key to understanding the modern Middle East and parts of Africa.
