White Dominions Flashcards
What was the position of the Dominions in 1914 and how did this change in the course of WW1
- The British cabinet committed them to the war.
- They cooperated well during the war.
- Increasingly saw themselves as equal parties with Britain and were essentially self-governing (except for foreign policy).
Why did it become clear it was difficult for Britain to please all the Dominions?
- Britain was not prepared to accept limits to its freedom.
- The Dominions disagreed with each other about things e.g. the renewal of the Anglo-Japanese alliance.
-> Canada opposed it whereas Australia and New Zealand supported it.
What was the consequence of the Chanak Crisis 1922?
- showed that the diplomatic unity of the dominions was a fiction as dominions didn’t back Britain against the potential crisis with Turkey.
- The policy of continuous consultation was dropped.
- The Dominions soon pursued their own policies -> particularly Canada.
What was the view of the Dominions regarding Imperial Defence?
- There was a Committee of Imperial Defence but few Dominion representatives attended its meetings.
- The dominions were reluctant to share the burden of imperial defence.
- They relied on Britain to spend the necessary amount needed to ensure their security.
To what extent were the Dominions independent in the early 1920s?
- For practical purposes there were independent but this was not formal independence.
- South Africa, Ireland and Canada pressed for a more precise definition of Dominion status in 1920.
In what ways was the governance of white settler colonies in Africa different
- These were where substantial numbers of Europeans had settled and where the British ruled directly through their own officials.
- A 1929 Royal Commission argued that African interests had to be paramount and white settlers were not the best trustees to those interests.
What was the situation in Southern Rhodesia
- The white population was similarly dominant.
- It had taken political power and won what was effectively self-government in 1923.
Why were whites able to dominate ethnic minorities in South Africa
- The promises made to protect the rights of ethnic minorities that had been built into the grant of Dominion status in 1910 were eroded.
- The white minority established control over internal affairs by the 1930s.
- The Statue of Westminster of 1931 gave Dominions legislative autonomy which enabled this white dominance to continue.
What did the 1926 Commonwealth Conference agree upon
- The dominions were ‘autonomous communities within the empire, equal in statue, in no way subordinate to one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs though united by a common allegiance to the
crown’.
How did WW2 affect the relationship between Britain and the Dominions
- It emphasised the difference between Britain and its Dominions.
- Eire (Ireland) remained neutral, many South Africans didn’t want to fight.
- 1940: Canada set up a Joint Defence Board with the USA.
- The Fall of Singapore and the collapse of British power in East Asia made Britain’s inability to protect Australia and New Zealand clear.
-> They instead turned to America for help in 1942.
Explain the details of South Africa’s relationship with Britain
- The Afrikaner Nationalist Party came to power in 1924 and caused problems for Britain.
- Many Boers were anti-British and anxious to assert their independence.
- Relationships were uneasy throughout the interwar years.
Explain the details of Canada and Newfoundland’s relationship with Britain
- Affected by divisions between French and English-speaking communities Mackenzie King, the Canadian Prime Minister, depended on French-Canadian support.
- Newfoundland returned to colony status after the Great Depression.
Explain the details of Australia and New Zealand’s relationship with Britain
- Most remained loyal to the empire.
- Growing threat from Japan in the 1930s seemed to strengthen Australia’s and New Zealand friendship with Britain.
What were the terms of the statute of Westminster 1931 and how did Britain present these developments
- Certain Dominions should become independent nations.
- Laws were passed in Britain were not automatically passed in Dominions.
- Dominions were free to pass their own laws without interference or approval.
- Presented this as evidence of the civilised nature of the empire.
- It could be regarded as a way to ensure global influence without the heavy cost of imperial rule.
Explain how Britain try to defend the Empire in the 20s and 30s
- They put faith in the League of Nations to maintain peace.
- The policy of appeasement was adopted to allow Britain to strengthen its defence of Asia against Japan.
