International Mandate System

The International Mandate System was established after World War I to manage former colonies of defeated powers, mainly in the Middle East and Africa. It was created by the League of Nations to oversee these territories until they could become independent. Countries holding mandates, called Mandate Powers, governed these regions responsibly, with the goal of helping them develop politically and economically. The system aimed to balance respect for local populations with international oversight, ensuring territories progressed toward self-governance while preventing exploitation or misuse of resources. It laid the groundwork for modern concepts of trusteeship and international responsibility.