Q. Consider the following statements with respect to the ‘Mandate’ System:

1. The ‘Mandate’ system was invented after the WWI.
2. Under the Mandate system, West Asia territories of the erstwhile Ottoman Empire was divided between Britain and France.

Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer: Both 1 and 2
Notes: After the WWI was over, the question of dividing the colonies and territories of defeated parties arose. It was solved by the ‘Mandate’ system which was devised in the charter of League of Nations. Theoretically, these mandate holders were supposed to oversee a transition to ‘responsible governments’ in their mandated countries. But, imperial powers had secretly divided these areas between themselves as spoils of war. So, statement 1 is correct. The Ottoman Empire had lost in the WWI. Previously, it had controlled a large area in the West Asia, which was to be taken away. Britain and France decided to split these areas among themselves. Consequently, Britain took Transjordan, Iraq and Palestine under its 'Mandate'; France received 'Syria' and 'Lebanon'. Elsewhere, Japan, South Africa, Portugal, etc. benefited from the 'Mandate' system. So, statement 2 is correct.