Territory of the Saar Basin

Quick Facts: Who was Territory of the Saar Basin?

Subject:

Territory of the Saar Basin

Known for:

League of Nations Mandate territory, governed by UK and France (1920-1935)

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Territory of the Saar Basin (German: Saarbeckengebiet, Saarterritorium; French: Territoire du bassin de la Sarre) was a region occupied and governed by the United Kingdom and France from 1920 to 1935 under a League of Nations mandate. It had its own flag (adopted on 28 July 1920): a blue, white, and black horizontal tricolour. The blue and white stood for Bavaria, and white and black for Prussia, out of whose lands the Saar Territory was formed.

Career & Major Achievements

Initially, the occupation was under the auspices of the Treaty of Versailles. Its population in 1933 was 812,000, and its capital was Saarbrücken. The territory closely corresponds with the modern German state of Saarland, but was slightly smaller in area.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After a plebiscite was held in 1935, it was returned to Germany. Under the Treaty of Versailles, the highly industrialized Saar Basin, including the Saar Coal District (German: Saarrevier), was to be occupied and governed by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the French Third Republic under a League of Nations mandate for a period of fifteen years. Its coalfields were also to be ceded to France.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1920: 1920 Milestone — The Territory of the Saar Basin (German: Saarbeckengebiet, Saarterritorium; French: Territoire du bassin de la Sarre) was a region occupied and governed by the United Kingdom and France from 1920 to 1935 under a League of Nations mandate.
2. 1933: 1933 Milestone — Its population in 1933 was 812,000, and its capital was Saarbrücken.
3. 1935: 1935 Milestone — After a plebiscite was held in 1935, it was returned to Germany.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Territory of the Saar Basin

True or False: “The Saar Basin was never directly controlled by the League of Nations; its governance was solely managed by the Weimar Republic.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The Saar Basin was explicitly occupied and governed by the United Kingdom and the French Third Republic under a League of Nations mandate, not solely by the Weimar Republic.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• 13th Dalai Lama — Historical peer (Died in 1933) (1933): Spiritual leader of Tibet who championed national independence and modernization.
• Abolhassan Banisadr — Historical peer (Born in 1933) (1933): Iranian politician who served as the first president following the Islamic Revolution.

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