What were Africa's contributions to the League of Nations?

Africa's contributions to the League of Nations were primarily through its colonial powers and the mandate system.

Africa's role in the League of Nations, established after World War I, was largely indirect as most of the continent was under colonial rule at the time. The contributions were primarily made through the colonial powers that governed them, such as Britain, France, and Belgium. These powers often represented African interests and issues at the League, albeit from their own perspectives and interests.

One of the significant contributions of Africa to the League of Nations was through the mandate system. The League of Nations mandate system was a compromise between the Allies' wish to retain the former German and Turkish colonies and their pre-Armistice declaration that annexation of territory was not their aim in the war. The mandates, classified as 'A', 'B', or 'C', were designed to prepare the nations for self-governance. Class 'B' mandates were applied to West and Central African territories, including Cameroon, Togoland, and others. The mandatory powers, such as Britain and France, were responsible for preparing these territories for independence.

The mandate system allowed the League to exert some control over the colonial powers and their treatment of the mandated territories. It also provided a platform for the discussion of colonial policies and practices, and in some cases, led to improvements in the living conditions and rights of the indigenous populations. However, it's important to note that the system was not without its flaws and criticisms. Many argue that it merely served as a guise for continued colonial rule, and the interests of the African people were often secondary to those of the colonial powers.

Furthermore, the League of Nations also provided a forum for African issues to gain international attention. For instance, the Abyssinia Crisis of 1935-36, involving the invasion of Ethiopia (then Abyssinia) by Italy, was a significant event that was addressed by the League. Although the League's response was widely criticised as ineffective, the crisis did highlight the challenges faced by independent African nations and the need for international cooperation and intervention.

In conclusion, while Africa's contributions to the League of Nations were largely indirect and mediated through colonial powers, they were nonetheless significant in shaping the League's policies and actions, particularly in relation to colonialism and the mandate system.