Which administrative arrangement reorganized Ottoman lands in the Middle East after World War I?

• A. The Mandate system established by the League of Nations
• B. Spheres of influence controlled by great powers
• C. Protectorates under direct colonial rule
• D. Autonomous regions within the former empire

Answer: (A)

The key idea tested is how former Ottoman lands in the Middle East were governed after World War I. The Mandate system established by the League of Nations is the best answer because it provided an international framework for administering these territories rather than placing them under direct colonial rule or leaving them as autonomous regions. Under mandates, Britain and France governed areas such as Mesopotamia (Iraq) and Palestine (British mandate) and Syria-Lebanon (French mandate) on behalf of the League, with the stated aim of guiding them toward self-government. This setup reflected a transition from formal empire to supervised administration, backed by international oversight, rather than the other arrangements described.