After World War 1, the Ottoman Empire collapsed and much of Southwest Asia (also known as the Middle East) became a part of the mandate system. The Ottoman Empire covered various regions in Southwest Asia including modern-day Turkey, parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and Levant. At the end of World War 1, the region was divided among Western powers such as Britain and France who took over different territories based on the mandate system.
The mandate system was established by the League of Nations, which was created after World War 1 to maintain peace and stability. Under this system, the former territories of the Ottoman Empire were divided into mandates, which were essentially colonies with temporary oversight by European powers. Britain took control of Palestine, Transjordan, and Iraq, while France took control of Syria and Lebanon.
The consequences of the mandate system in Southwest Asia were significant. The borders of the newly created nations were drawn without consideration for ethnic and religious divisions, leading to ongoing conflicts and tensions in the region. Additionally, the mandates gave the European powers significant control over the region's resources, leading to economic exploitation. The mandate system also fueled nationalist movements and anti-colonial sentiments, which eventually led to decolonization in the mid-20th century.