10. White Dominions

Question 1

How did WW1 affect the White Dominions?

Answer 1

• Created a sense of national pride and identity in Canada, Australia and New Zealand
• They felt that they had contributed significantly to the British victory
• However the TOV did not reflect their contributions leading to a growing sense of frustration and disillusionment
• Fuelled a greater desire for independence and autonomy (self-government) - eventually led to creation of independent nations

Question 2

What impact did the Balfour Declaration have on White Dominions?

Answer 2

• Contributed to a growing sense of nationalism and self-determination in the colonies
• Many white dominions saw the declaration as a sign that the British government was willing to support the aspirations of other nations
• Fulled their own desires for greater autonomy and independence

Question 3

What did the 1926 Commonwealth Conference agree upon?

Answer 3

• The dominions were ‘autonomous communities within the empire, equal in statue, in no way subordinate to one another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs though unitedly a common allegiance to the crown’

Question 4

What was the concept of the Commonwealth?

Answer 4

• Based upon the free association of equal nations, with economic and political cooperation and loyalty to the British Crown
• By joining, the areas could gradually become fully independent
• Voluntary organisation in which its members share a common language, history, culture and legal system

Question 5

What influence did the creation of the Commonwealth in 1931 have?

Answer 5

• Showed the former British Empire was willing to adapt to changing circumstances and embrace a new model of international cooperation
• Provided a framework for peaceful cooperation between its members
• Demonstrated that the British Empire was willing to recognise the aspirations, of its former colonies, for greater autonomy and self-determination, while still maintaining close ties and friendships with them

Question 6

What was the Statute of Westminster?

Answer 6

• A law passed by the British Parliament in 1931 that granted self-government to the British white dominions - Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
• Recognised the full legal autonomy of these countries, allowing them to make their own laws and act independently of the British government
• The statute established that the British monarch was the head of state of these countries but the monarch acted on the advice of the local government
• The statute of Westminster was a significant step towards the creation of the modern Commonwealth
• Helped to establish the principle of self-determination for the former British colonies

Question 7

To what extent were the bonds weakened? (weakened)

Answer 7

• Dominions increasingly had separate interests
• Dominions gained complete parliamentary independence
• Ireland was never content with the Dominions status and wanted to leave the commonwealth
• The Dominions looked to the USA for protection during WW2

Question 8

To what extent were the bonds weakened? (strengthened/remained the same)

Answer 8

• Dominions still relied on Britain for defence until WW2
• They still had their shared heritage and they generally remained loyal to Britain