Question

What was the purpose of the mandate system created by the Treaty of Versailles?

to turn former German colonies into independent nations
to limit the size of European armies in overseas territories
to transfer territory from European control to United Nations control
to give Allied powers control over territory the Central powers once held

Answer 1

to give Allied powers control over territory the Central powers once held

The mandate system placed former German and Ottoman territories under the administration of Allied powers (under League of Nations supervision) rather than granting immediate independence.