The mandates system in Africa, 1919-1929 : European perceptions of a sacred trust

Abstract

The author examines the attitudes of Europeans involved in the administration of the League of Nations Mandates system in four African Mandated Territories during the period from 1919-1929, and concentrates in particular on those activities of the Mandatory Powers directed toward the social progress of the indigenous peoples: their education and physical health, and the development of legal structures within each territory. In examining these questions, the author has relied primarily upon the official documents of the Permanent Mandates Commission, especially the minutes of its proceedings in Geneva, and upon the documents provided to the Commission by the Mandatory Powers: Britain, France, Belgium and South Africa. The mandated Territories of Southwest African (Namibia), Ruanda-Urundi, and the British and French Cameroons are studied.