How did World War I redistribute Germany’s colonies and Ottoman territories?
Following World War I, the Allied powers redistributed Germany’s overseas colonies and the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire through the League of Nations mandate system. This framework was a compromise between the Allies' desire to retain these territories and their pre-Armistice declarations against formal annexation.12
Ottoman Territories
The former Ottoman provinces were divided into Class A mandates, which were considered sufficiently advanced for eventual independence.1
* Great Britain received mandates for Iraq and Palestine (including modern Jordan).12
* France assumed mandates over Syria and Lebanon.12
German Colonies
German holdings were distributed as Class B and C mandates based on their development and location:1
* Africa: Tanganyika went to Britain; Rwanda-Urundi went to Belgium; and Togoland and the Cameroons were divided between Britain and France. South West Africa was assigned to South Africa.12
* Pacific: Territories were assigned to Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.1