Unresolved TENSIONS After World War I [AP World History Review—Unit 7 Topic 5]

The Aftermath of World War I: Colonial Tensions and Resistance

The Impact of World War I on Colonial Peoples

• The end of World War I created significant global tensions, particularly among colonial peoples seeking to expunge imperial powers from their lands.

• Despite contributions during the war, colonial peoples were not rewarded with independence; European powers maintained their colonial holdings, and some even gained new territories.

• The mandate system was introduced at the Paris Peace Conference to dismantle the Ottoman and German Empires, redistributing territories as spoils of war.

The Mandate System Explained

• U.S. President Woodrow Wilson advocated for self-determination during peace negotiations, which many interpreted as a promise for independence.

• However, British and French powers rejected Wilson's ideals, leading to the establishment of the mandate system in the Middle East where territories were administered by the League of Nations.

• Territories were classified into three classes: Class C (least developed), Class B (larger populations but still underdeveloped), and Class A (deemed suitable for independence).

Reality vs. Expectations in Mandated Territories

• In practice, British and French mandates operated similarly to colonies; this disillusionment fueled anti-colonial resistance among local populations who expected freedom post-war.

Japan's Expansion During Interwar Years

• Japan emerged as an imperial power post-WWI, invading Manchuria in 1931 to expand its empire despite violating League of Nations rules.

• Japan withdrew from the League after facing minimal consequences for its actions and continued territorial expansion throughout the Pacific.

Anti-Colonial Movements Emerge

• Disappointment over unfulfilled promises led to various anti-imperial movements; one notable example is the Indian National Congress formed before WWI advocating for greater self-rule in India.

• Under Gandhi’s leadership in the 1920s, peaceful protests against British policies began gaining momentum towards eventual independence after WWII.