Colonialism Between World Wars

Colonial people who fought in WWI were not rewarded with independence by the victorious powers.
European powers and Japan generally maintained their colonial holdings during the interwar period; some even gained more territory.
Some new states emerged, such as the Republic of Turkey under Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk).
Often, colonial territories simply changed hands from one imperial power to another.

The Paris Peace Conference aimed to dismantle the Ottoman and German Empires.
Victorious powers divided these territories among themselves.
US President Woodrow Wilson advocated for self-determination, meaning states should have the right to govern themselves.
Colonial peoples hoped for freedom and independence as a result of the peace conference.
The French and British largely rejected Wilson's idea but compromised with the mandate system in the Middle East.
Middle Eastern territories became mandates administered by the League of Nations.
- Class C Mandates:
  - Small populations, considered least developed, treated essentially as colonies.
  - Several islands in the Pacific taken over by the British and Japanese.
- Class B Mandates:
  - Larger populations, still considered underdeveloped, ruled by victorious powers.
  - Most of Germany's colonies in Africa fell under this heading and were divided among the victorious powers.
- Class A Mandates:
  - Large populations and sufficient levels of development, deemed suitable for independence and self-rule.
  - The British occupied Israel and Iraq, while the French occupied Syria and Lebanon, treating them as colonies.
The failure to grant independence led to anti-colonial resistance.

Japan was the only non-Western state to become equal to Western powers and sought to build an empire.
In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria to expand its empire and gain natural resources.
The League of Nations, despite condemning the invasion, lacked the power to enforce its rules.
Japan quit the League of Nations and continued its conquests in the Pacific.
By 1932, Japan had taken over part of China and created a puppet state called Manchukuo.
Japan continued to seize territory throughout the Pacific and developed its area of influence, the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.

Disappointed hopes of colonial people led to anti-imperial resistance movements.
Indian National Congress:
- Formed in the late 19th century to petition the British government for greater self-rule in India.
- Despite Indian soldiers fighting for Britain in WWI, British domination continued.
- In the 1920s, Mohandas Gandhi became a leader, leading peaceful protests against British policy.
- Resistance ultimately led to independence after World War II.
African National Congress:
- Founded in South Africa by Western-educated lawyers and journalists.
- Dedicated to obtaining equal rights for colonial subjects in South Africa.
- Influenced by Pan-Africanism, which aimed for equality and unity of all black people.
- Achieved full success after World War II.