At the end of World War I, the colonial territories were not granted the right to self-determination. Instead, they were divided up among the victorious powers as spoils of war. This was done without any regard for the wishes of the people who lived in these territories.
The denial of self-determination to the colonial territories was a major source of resentment and unrest. It led to a number of independence movements in the years after World War I. These movements eventually succeeded in winning independence for many of the colonial territories.
The right to self-determination is now recognized as a fundamental human right. It is enshrined in the United Nations Charter and other international human rights treaties. The right to self-determination is essential for the promotion of peace and security in the world. It allows people to live in freedom and dignity and to pursue their own development goals.