History glossary
mandate system
the League of Nations system that assigned former German and Ottoman territories to victorious powers.
- Category
- International governance
- Region
- Former German and Ottoman territories
- Date range
- 1919-1940s
What it means
The mandate system placed former German colonies and Ottoman territories under the administration of victorious powers through the League of Nations. It was presented as preparation for self-government, but in practice often resembled colonial rule under a new legal label.
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