The Commonwealth Flashcards
How was the Commonwealth initially designed to reinforce British influence over the colonies?
- It was meant for the Dominions after the Statute of Westminster so as to reinforce the Queen’s sovereignty over these states
How did membership rules to the commonwealth change in 1949? What did this mean for Britain’s status?
Republics and other forms of government were allowed to join. This forced the commonwealth to be accepted as a group of free, independent states rather than one to be dominated by British informal control
Which two nations joined the Commonwealth in 1947? Which nation refused in 1948?
India and Pakistan
Burma refused
What was the flaw with the commonwealth in regards to the nations supporting Britain?
They had no legal obligation to support Britain
Which commonwealth countries backed Britain during the Suez Crisis?
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
How did the Commonwealth Conferences help re-assert British global influence?
Because all of them, except one, took place in London. This was a physical show of Britain’s superior status.
Other than commonwealth conferences, what helped reinforce Britain’s connections with the empire?
- Commonwealth Secretary General and his Secretariat which were established in 1965.
- Queen visited member countries and held regular meetings with Commonwealth Heads of Government
Which commonwealth countries’ currencies did Britain keep pegged to the sterling after WW2? Which countries switched to the dollar?
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa all pegged their currencies to the sterling
Newfoundland and Canada pegged to the dollar
When did the Commonwealth Economic Conference take place?
1952
Which gang can be used to demonstrate the rising racism in the 1950s from commonwealth migration?
The Teddy Gangs who in 1958 attacked black people in Nottingham and Notting Hill
What did a 1956 survey taken in North London reveal about racist attitudes?
1/5 objected to working with Black people or Asians
1/2 refused to live next door to a coloured person
9/10 disapproved of mixed marriages
Between 1946 and 1957, how many people emigrated from Britain to the dominions? How many expats total were living in the commonwealth?
1m
10m
What proportion of the British population were in contact with relatives in the Dominions in 1948?
25%
How did the empire continue to have a sporting impact on the commonwealth?
Rugby was firmly established in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia
Cricket was established in Australia and India
Commonwealth Games began to occur every 4 years.
What was the British Nationality Act?
An act from 1948 which gave full British citizenship to every member of the Empire or Commonwealth
What was the major origin of immigrants in the 1950s to Britain? How large was Britain’s black population by 1967?
The Caribbean
1m
What was the major origin of immigrants in the 1960s? Where did many of them settle?
India and Pakistan
Birmingham
Where were the commonwealth immigrants particularly needed?
As unskilled workers in factories as well as in transport and the NHS
How many new employees did London Transport take on in 1956? Where were the majority from?
4000
Barbados
What was the result of the 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act?
It made immigration for commonwealth citizens harder and resulted in discrimination against black and Asian workers.
How did the diplomatic network provided by the commonwealth help Britain’s international status?
- Provided them with foreign support and relations which justified them holding important positions on international bodies such as on the UNSC
How did the Commonwealth give some minor benefit to Britain’s military?
Britain could recruit commonwealth citizens to serve within the British armed forces.
Which parts of the British empire didn’t join the commonwealth?
Protectorates such as Egypt, Sudan and others in the Middle-East
