At the end of the First World War, the Paris Peace Conference saw a battle over the future of empire. The victorious allied powers wanted to annex the Ottoman territories and German colonies they had occupied; Woodrow Wilson and a groundswell of anti-imperialist activism stood in their way. France, Belgium, Japan and the British dominions reluctantly agreed to an Anglo-American proposal to hold and administer those allied conquests under "mandate" from the new League of Nations. In the end, fourteen mandated territories were set up across the Middle East, Africa and the Pacific. Against all odds, these disparate and far-flung territories became the site and the vehicle of global transformation.In this masterful history of the mandates system, Susan Pedersen illuminates the role the League of Nations played in creating the modern world. Tracing the system from its creation in 1920 until its demise in 1939, Pedersen examines its workings from the realm of international diplomacy; the viewpoints of the League's experts and officials; and the arena of local struggles within the territories themselves. Featuring a cast of larger-than-life figures, including Lord Lugard, King Faisal, Chaim Weizmann and Ralph Bunche, the narrative sweeps across the globe-from windswept scrublands along the Orange River to famine-blighted hilltops in Rwanda to Damascus under French bombardment-but always returns to Switzerland and the sometimes vicious battles over ideas of civilization, independence, economic relations, and sovereignty in the Geneva headquarters. As Pedersen shows, although the architects and officials of the mandates system always sought to uphold imperial authority, colonialnationalists, German revisionists, African-American intellectuals and others were able to use the platform Geneva offered to challenge their claims. Amid this cacophony, imperial statesmen began exploring new means - client states, economic concessions - of securing Western hegemony. In the end, the mandate system helped to create the world in which we now live.A riveting work of global history, The Guardians enables us to look back at the League with new eyes, and in doing so, appreciate how complex, multivalent, and consequential this first great experiment in internationalism really was.
✔ Author(s): Susan Pedersen
✔ Title: The Guardians: The League of Nations and the Crisis of Empire
✔ Rating : 4.2 out of 5 base on (48 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 0190619120
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about The Guardians by Susan Pedersen
Reeve Adams
Dive into a captivating mystery where each clue unravels a new layer of intrigue. The author's masterful storytelling keeps you guessing until the final page. Vivid characters and detailed settings bring the story to life. The suspense builds with each chapter, making it impossible to put down. It's a gripping tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A must-read for fans of the genre.
Daniella Bender
Get lost in a fantastical realm where magic and adventure await at every turn. The author's imaginative world-building and captivating narrative draw you in from the start. Engaging characters and thrilling quests make for an exciting read. The plot twists and turns keep you hooked until the very end. It's a book that sparks the imagination and takes you on a wild ride. Perfect for fans of fantasy.
Keaton Holloway
Embark on a journey through time with a historical novel that spans generations. The author's meticulous research and engaging prose create a vivid and immersive experience. Each character's story is intricately woven into the fabric of history. The narrative explores themes of legacy, identity, and change with depth and insight. It's a captivating blend of personal and historical drama. Perfect for fans of multi-generational sagas.
