COWS 1857-1967 Flashcards
What was the Durham Report and what caused it?
-There was an armed rebellion against the British in Canada 1837, Lord Durham (a whig) was sent to Canada to investigate in order to prevent further rebellions.
-Hence the Durham Report 1839 was his report placing blame on British “irresponsible government”
Why was the Durham Report important?
It was a revolutionary document that introduced self-government to many colonies of settlement
When did Canada gain self government?
-Upper and Lower Canada united 1840
-National Federal Assembly created for Canada whilst individual provinces given control over internal affairs
-1867, Canada was a fully functioning self-governing colony
By the middle of the 19th century the British Government was prepared to do what?
Grant responsible self-government to all “politically advanced colonies”, basically meaning colonies with substantial British and European populations
When was New-Zealand granted self-government?
1856
After granting self-government to multiple colonies, what aspect did the British still retain control over?
Foreign relations
What did the British still trade with it’s colonies of settlement?
Australia - Wool and Sugar
New Zealand - Lamb and Dairy produce
Canada - Beef and Wheat
Why was british control of governments in these dominions largely symbolic?
Because they weren’t responsible for administration or costs
Why did Britain rely on these colonies of settlement?
They were important for Britains global power
What were the 4 recognised COWS during ww1?
-Canada
-Australia
-New-Zealand
-South Africa
What did Canada and Australia do during ww1?
Canada:
-Introduced Conscription 1917, celebrated for part in battle at Vimy Ridge 1917
-Supplied Britain with Wheat and Munitions through war, March 1918 had riots against conscription in Quebec city
Australia:
-Applauded for bravery at Gallipoli in 1915
-Rejected conscription in two referendums 1916 and 1917
What did new zealand and south africa do during ww1?
NZ:
-Applauded for bravery at Gallipoli 1915, introduced conscription 1916
SA:
-Formed SA Defence Force by General Smuts, Smuts attended London Imperial War Conferences 1917, 1918, advising on military strategy in Europe
-136,000 South Africans fought in Middle East and on Western Front
-Republican movement led by J.B.M Hertzog grew and Afrikaner movement
What was the Balfour Declaration of 1926?
It stated that the Dominions were “autonomous communities within the Empire, equal in status and in no way subordinate to one another, united by a common allegiance to the crown”
What did the Statute of Westminster 1931 do?
It saw the Empire transform into a Commonwealth by recognising that:
-Certain dominions shouldn’t become independent
-Laws passed in Britain could not be enforced in these countries without permission of their own parliaments
-Dominions countries were to be free to pass their own laws without interference of Brit
When did the Statute of Westminster come into effect for COWS?
Immediate effect in:
-Canada
-South Africa
-Irish Free State
Wasn’t ratified until 1946 by:
-Australia
-New Zealand
Which colony never ratified the Statute of Westminster?
Newfoundland never ratified it and returned to Crown Colony status; eventually becoming a province of Canada in 1949
When Britain declared war on Germany 1939, which colonies followed suit?
Australia, New Zealand and Canada
How did SA join ww2?
General Smuts forced a debate in the House of Assembly and secured a majority of war by 80 votes to 67
By 1945 many Commonwealth Nations looked towards USA rather than Britain, as demonstrated by…
-1940, Canada set up a Joint Defence Board with the USA
-1951, Australia and New Zealand had formed the ANZUS military pact with US (recognised the position of America as defender and protector of Pacific region, replacing Britain’s influence)
What happened 1947-1949 in the Commonwealth?
1947- India and Pakistan join Commonwealth, pound Sterling almost collapsed
1948-Burma refuse to join. The ANP took over South Africa with policy of Apartheid
1949- Ireland became republic, leaving Commonwealth
What happened 1952-1956 in the Commonwealth?
1952-Commonwealth Economic Conference held
1954- first Commonwealth Games were held
1956- Position of Commonwealth Secretary General created, Australian PM attempts mediate between Britain and Egypt during suez crisis
What happened 1960-1966 in the Commonwealth?
1960- Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa
1961- South Africa left Commonwealth
1966- Special Commonwealth Conference held in Nigeria to discuss Rhodesia situation
What 3 events are significant to the History of Home Rule with Ireland?
1886 - First Home Rule Bill
1893 - Second Home Rule Bill
1912 - Third Home Rule Bill
Describe the characteristics of the First Home Rule Bill…
-Created self-government for Ireland with a devolved assembly while removing all Irish MPs from the Westminster parliament
-Introduced by Gladstone
-Britain would keep control over Irish defence and foreign policies, whilst new assembly responsible for all domestic issues
-Defeated in a vote in HofC, replacing Gladstones government by Lord Salisburys
Describe the characteristics of the Second Home Rule Bill…
-Also introduced by Gladstone in 1893, similar to first bill, allowing for 80 of the 103 Irish MPs to remain in Westminster
-Bill made it through HofC this time
-HofL however defeated it with 419 votes to 41, Gladstone retired from national politics
Describe characteristics of the Third Home Rule Bill…
-Drafted by Liberal PM Herbert Henry Asquith in 1912, very similar to previous two, although this time only 42 Irish MP’s able to continue to vote in Westminster Parliament, would also involve partitioning Ireland
-Passed HofC three times but rejected by HofL every time
-After third rejection, government able to use Parliament Act of 1911 to override Lords and Bill sent for Royal Assent (Government of Ireland Act 1914)
-Whilst Law was passed, suspended during the breakout of war in 1914
What happened between 1914-1920 in Ireland?
1914- Britain faced prospect of Civil War in Ireland due to religious divide, British soldiers at Curragh mutinied, refusing to enforce Home Rule on Ulster province
1916: Southern pro-independece group Sinn Fein
1919: Frsutration caused by delays to Home Rule, Sinn Fein establish assembly in Dublin, declaring an Irish Republic (and IRA begain guerilla war against British)
1920: 4th Home Rule Bill signed into law
Describe characteristics of the 4th Home Rule Bill…
Signed into law as the Government of Ireland Act 1920, formally established separate Home Rule institutions in two new subdivisions of Ireland - North and South, both areas continue to be part of UK. On-going civil war for independence meant the Act never took effect in South
What happened in Ireland 1921?
-Anglo-Irish Treaty signed, creating Irish Free State, as a self-governing dominion within the British Empire - The six Northern Eastern counties quickly opted out of arrangement, not the end of the protests and opposition however, Sinn Fein reject the Treaty, partly because it involved partition, mostly because Irish Free State was a Dominion not an Independent Republic
-Brought further Irish Civil War, ending in 1923 with defeat of Valera and republicans
Southern Ireland gained equality of status how and when ?
In the 1931 Statute of Westminster
