Mandates System

The Mandate System was established after World War I, where the League of Nations assigned European powers to govern former territories of the defeated Ottoman and German empires. Instead of outright ownership, these powers were seen as trustees responsible for helping these regions develop self-governance and prepare for independence. Mandates were classified as Class A, B, or C based on the readiness of the population for autonomy. The system aimed to ensure that the territories were not exploited but guided towards self-rule, though in practice it often resembled colonial rule.