(A) They were given to the Allied nations as part of reparations.
(B) They were allowed to exercise their right to self-determination.
(C) They were granted independence by the Treaty of Versailles.
(D) ** They were given as mandates to Allied nations to prepare them for self-rule.
EXPLANATIONS BELOW
Concept note-1: -After the German defeat in World War I, Germany’s colonial empire was officially dissolved with the Treaty of Versailles. Each colony became a League of Nations mandate under the supervision, although not ownership, of one of the victorious powers.
Concept note-2: -The Versailles Treaty forced Germany to give up territory to Belgium, Czechoslovakia and Poland, return Alsace and Lorraine to France and cede all of its overseas colonies in China, Pacific and Africa to the Allied nations.
Concept note-3: -The treaty gave some German territories to neighbouring countries and placed other German territories under international supervision. In addition, Germany was stripped of its overseas colonies, its military capabilities were severely restricted, and it was required to pay war reparations to the Allied countries.
Concept note-4: -The Germans agreed to pull their troops out of France, Belgium and Luxembourg within 15 days, or risk becoming prisoners of the Allies. They had to turn over their arsenal, including 5, 000 artillery pieces, 25, 000 machine guns and 1, 700 airplanes, along with 5, 000 railroad locomotives, 5, 000 trucks and 150, 000 wagons.
Concept note-5: -The mandate system was a compromise between the Allies’ wish to retain the former German and Turkish colonies and their pre-Armistice declaration (November 5, 1918) that annexation of territory was not their aim in the war.