Mandaattihallinto

Mandaattihallinto refers to a system established by the League of Nations after World War I, wherein former colonies of the defeated Central Powers were entrusted to various Allied nations as "mandates." These mandates were not outright annexations but rather territories to be administered by a mandatory power under the supervision of the League. The principle behind mandates was to prepare these territories for eventual self-governance and independence.

The mandate system was divided into three classes: Class A, Class B, and Class C, based on the perceived level of development and readiness for self-determination of the populations. Class A mandates were territories that were deemed to have reached a stage where their independence was almost assured, requiring only administrative assistance. Class B mandates were territories in a more rudimentary state, requiring significant administrative control for the well-being of their inhabitants. Class C mandates were territories considered least developed, best administered under the laws of the mandatory power as integral portions of its territory.

Notable examples of mandates included Palestine and Iraq under British administration, and Syria and Lebanon under French administration. The mandatory powers were obligated to submit annual reports to the League of Nations and to promote the material and moral well-being and the social progress of the inhabitants. The mandate system was a novel concept, attempting to reconcile colonial administration with the principle of self-determination, though its implementation and outcomes were varied and often debated. The system effectively ceased to function with the dissolution of the League of Nations and the establishment of the United Nations.