The mandate system proposed the allocation of the Axis’ post colonies to the members of the League of Nations. Hence, the set of regulations was directed toward the Ottoman Empire and Germany, as their armies were defeated as a result of the war. Moreover, apart from the Empire’s evident loss of territory, the introduction of the mandate coincided with internal reforms of the state, leading to its abolition.
Following the Ottoman Empire’s defeat in 1918, the League of Nations established a set of laws controlling the re-administration of its past territories in the Middle East, including the regions of Iraq, Palestine, and Syria (Pedersen, 2014). The regions were then split between Great Britain and France, with partial independence of the states being recognized. At the same time, the Ottoman Empire’s position and power in the international political arena were significantly weakened, while the Western influence in the Middle East only increased.
Furthermore, the consequences of the mandate system and World War I defeat coincided with internal conflicts within the Empire, leading to the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. The Armistice of Mudros further granted the Allies power to control the Ottoman army and state. At the same time, the Turkish War of Independence marked the state’s victory and led to further negotiations with the Allies. As a result, Ankara became the capital of a new government – the Republic of Turkey (Pedersen, 2014). Hence, the formation of a new state resulted from both internal and external events.
In conclusion, the mandate system imposed by the victors of the First World War on the Ottoman Empire included significant territorial loss for the defeated, which inevitably led to the abolition of the state. Most importantly, it is important to highlight the deconstruction of the great Empire and the establishment of the Republic of Turkey as the main result of the mandate regulations.
Reference
Pedersen, S. (2014). The guardians: the League of Nations and the crisis of empire. Oxford: Oxford University Press.