What was the effect of the First World War on the colonial possessions of industrialised countries?

France got back Alsace-Lorraine which she had lost in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). France was given full ownership of the rich coal mines in the Saar basin for a period of 15 years. The fate of Schleswig was determined by a plebiscite. Germany had to surrender the areas of Eupen and Malmedy to Belgium. The city of Memel went to Lithuiana. The newly created State of Poland got back all the territories she had lost in the War.

Besides territorial losses in Europe, Germany lost all her colonies and overseas possessions. Togoland and the Cameroon were partitioned between Britain and France and German East Africa was shared between Britain and Belgium. Palestine and Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) were also held by Britain under a Mandate from the League of Nations.