The terms "dominion" and "British Commonwe alth" are often used in historical books containing information about the political aspects of the development of European states. Let's take a closer look at the meaning of definitions.
What is a dominion
In history textbooks, dominions are states that in the 19th-20th centuries. were part of the British Empire. Joining took place on a voluntary-compulsory basis. Dominion countries were dependent colonies before receiving the status, but became self-governing, while England was a sovereign state. Dominions (former colonies) recognized the ruling English king (queen) as the head of the empire and obeyed the laws of England.
The history of the British colonies
The British state is a conquering country. In the 13th century, England was a powerful power. The state wanted to expand its own territory. Then the country took over Ireland. And in the 16th century, Newfoundland became part of the empire.
In 1588, England defeated the Spanish fleet and subjugatedAmerica and then Portugal. The American city of Virginia was founded by the British, and New Amsterdam was renamed New York.
Striving for independence, the English settlements in America waged a successful war of liberation, and England lost 13 colonies.
In the 19th century, the British government subjugated New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Australia. Following them, China joined the list of colonies. At the end of the century, England captured Cyprus, Egypt and the Suez Canal, Afghanistan and vast territories of South Africa: Nigeria, the Gold Coast, Uganda, Kenya and others.
History of the term "dominion"
Historically, "dominion" is a term that appeared at the end of the 18th century, shortly before the start of the American Revolution. Two authors - James Wilson and Thomas Jefferson - produced two independent pamphlets in which they each explored the legislature of England.
According to the laws of the country, Britain could not create colonies due to the fact that the inhabitants of the latter had to have a legal representative. Then the authors in their writings put forward the idea of creating parliaments in the colonies and giving the territories independence, but at the same time leaving them in the British Empire as dominion countries. According to history, this proposal was accepted only in 1867, when the first dominion country, Canada, joined Britain.
What did dominion status mean
First of all, the status of a dominion gave a high level of autonomy to the acceding state. But it also meantits dependence on the policies and decisions made in England.
The financial obligations of the colonies were less than that of the capital. In the event of the bankruptcy of a subordinate country, any dominion or Britain could offer it to repay the debt, but the bankrupt dominion in this case lost its autonomy and became completely subordinate to the state that paid the debts.
The political system in the dominions was created in the image of the British state. But, depending on the culture of the countries, the level of centralization of local government was different, it was only in indirect control, while direct control was carried out by England.
Each dominion had its own parliament and government headed by an elected prime minister. Parliaments and governments were accountable to the Governor General of Britain.
At the same time, the governor-general of the empire was the direct representative of both the British government and the king (queen). It was in his power to appoint and dismiss government representatives in dominion countries. This, according to history, was power not limited by decisions of parliament, which gave the right to use a veto (prohibition) to all adopted laws.
Dominion countries
The list of dominion countries of the British Empire includes about 50 of them. The largest states are North America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, India, M alta, Ceylon and others.
British Commonwe alth
Military powerEngland grew, its territory became more and more, and the resettlement of the British in the colonial countries spread the English language around the world. Thus, the role of the English settlers who moved to Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the Union of South Africa in creating a multi-million white population was enormous.
In 1887, a conference was held in London, at which all aspects of the new colonial policy of the empire were discussed. Developed colonies (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South American Union, Newfoundland, Ireland) became dominions and entered the so-called commonwe alth of nations.
In 1926, a conference of prime ministers of the British government and the governments of the dominions of England was held in Great Britain. At the meeting, the Balfour Declaration was signed on the equal membership of the dominions and Great Britain on the basis of dependence on each other in political decisions and loy alty to the crown.
In December 1931, the status of the "British Commonwe alth" was finally secured by the signed Statute of Westmines.
