"Popular Law Library Vol 1 Introduction To The Study Of Law Legal History", Peace Treaties and International Law in European History, From the Late Middle Ages to World War One, Burgundian and Habsburg in the Low Countries, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Territorial_evolution_of_the_British_Empire&oldid=1000805452, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, English as a dominant or an official language, Northern part merged into Nigeria, southern part into the, Territory included former IBEAC territories and the strip of Sultan of Zanizbar's dominions on the coast of Kenya which fell within the British sphere of influence, Lands of Sultan of Zanzibar on coast administered with the Colony as one unit, Island leased from Spain so that Royal Navy could undertake anti-slavery operations on West Coast of Africa. The British Commonwealth refers to a collection of countries associated with the same political affiliation, meaning that the Commonwealth of Nations is intended to bring countries together and provide them with a foundation for economic growth, financial prosperity, and just overall success for all nations involved. During this time, the vast majority of Iran was under rule by the Qajar Dynasty, … Split between the re-established province of Assam and the re-constituted presidency of Bengal, Ceded by the Dutch and subordinated to the, Kowloon and Stonecutters Island ceded by China, New Territories leased from China for 99 years, Labuan to British N. Borneo on 15 July 1946, British sovereignty relinquished; proposed partition between a Jewish and an Arab state never fully materialized; the Jewish state -, Two sections of the former Palestine Mandate outside Israel - the, Part of Straits Settlements (crown colony), Established by the partition of Bengal. These were all places Britain wanted to dominate for access to goods such as rubber, salt, gold, ivory, and other natural products. In 1888 the Imperial British East Africa Company Upon much of Ireland gaining independence in 1922 as the Irish Free State, the other territories of the Empire remained under the control of the United Kingdom. In theory these territories were governed on behalf of the League of Nations for the benefit of their inhabitants. Within twenty years of the partition and independence in 1947 of British India (considered to be the most important colonial possession), most of the Empire's territories had achieved full independence. Fifteen of these (known, with the United Kingdom, as the 16 Commonwealth realms) retain the British monarch (currently Queen Elizabeth II) as Head of State. [6] The governor also often had an Executive Council which had a similar function to the Cabinet in England but was not responsible to the colonial lower house. LOCKDOWN will be “gradually lifted” in March once all over 70s have received the coronavirus vaccine, the government hopes. Five years later, the United Kingdom officially upheld the formation of the Commonwealth by signing a document called the Statute of Westminster. No uniform system of government was applied to any of these. At this point, the London Declaration was compiled and written by an Indian official by the name of VK Krishna Menon, and the member nations signed it in the same year. However, after the passage of the Statute of Westminster the language of dependency on the Crown of the United Kingdom ceased, where the Crown itself was no longer referred to as the Crown of any place in particular but simply as "the Crown". The current monarch and head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who ascended the throne in 1952. Most people know her as the Queen of England, but Elizabeth II is actually the monarch of 16 different countries. Since then, many territories around the world have been under the control of the United Kingdom or its predecessor states. Most converted to United Nations Trust Territories in 1946. The British thought of their rule as a form of "autocratic paternalism." Below are the British Commonwealth countries in alphabetical order. Likewise, British forces gained power in the eastern region of the Persian Empire, near present-day Pakistan. Today, more than twenty countries around the world are still ruled by monarchies. These include Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as several Caribbean states. It was established in 1484 and as part of the Royal Household operates under the authority of the Crown. Chartered companies were usually formed, incorporated and legitimised under a royal charter. Monaco. [7] Later as the white colonies gained more internal responsible government, the lower house began to supersede the (usually unelected) upper house as the colonial legislature, and the position of Premier emerged. The Commonwealth of Nations is different from the Commonwealth of Independent States. Dominion status was formally defined in the Balfour Declaration of 1926, which recognised these countries as "autonomous Communities within the British Empire", thus acknowledging them as political equals of the United Kingdom; the Statute of Westminster 1931 converted this status into legal reality, making them essentially independent members of what was then called the British Commonwealth. Queen Victoria's 1837 ascension to the throne ushered in British empire industrialization and global expansion. British Guiana 26 May: 1966 India: British Raj 15 August: 1947 Independence Day (India) Iraq: 3 October: 1932 Israel: Mandatory Palestine 14 May: 1948 Independence declared after League of Nations mandate ended, and reaffirmed by a UN resolution to divide Mandatory Palestine to a Jewish and an Arab states. Colonies were territories that were intended to be places of permanent settlement, providing land for their settlers. Albert II, Prince of Monaco. The UK Prime Minister's website has used the phrase "countries within a country" to describe the United Kingdom. [8], Charter colony is one of the three classes of colonial government established in the 17th-century English colonies in North America. Several provinces and territories have joined since Confederation. The British Empire ruled over many countries in Africa, beginning in 1870. The College of Arms is the authority on the flying of flags in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and maintains the only official register of flags for these countries. As mentioned, the Commonwealth of Nations is an organization made up of fifty-three countries around the world. [12][13], A protectorate is a territory which is not formally annexed but in which, by treaty, grant or other lawful means, the Crown has power and jurisdiction. [2], Dominions were semi-independent polities that were nominally under the Crown, constituting the British Empire and British Commonwealth, beginning in the later part of the 19th century. Over time, a number of colonies were granted "responsible government", making them largely self-governing. In legal terms the territories included those formally under the sovereignty of the British monarch (who held the additional title of Emperor (or Empress) of India from 1876 to 1947); various "foreign" territories controlled as protectorates; territories transferred to British administration under the authority of the League of Nations or the United Nations; and miscellaneous other territories, such as the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, a condominium with Egypt. [16], Mandates were forms of territory created after the end of the First World War. The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. Arthur Berriedale Keith, in Speeches and Documents on the British Dominions 1918–1931, stated that "the Dominions are sovereign international States in the sense that the King in respect of each of His Dominions (Newfoundland excepted) is such a State in the eyes of international law". The Lord Lyon King of Arms holds a similar role within Scotland. Consultative position, however, and increasing numbers also escaped from British plantations 8 ], Mandates were of... But were usually members of the United Kingdom ; Wales the world as several Caribbean states in! Has used the phrase `` countries within a country '' to describe the United Kingdom...., however, and increasing numbers also escaped from British plantations world War tie to.... Her as the Commonwealth started forming of Assembly research shows that practically has. Independent countries -not ruled or governed by the Queen of England Islands Voice, 22 March.. 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