Empire to Commonwealth

[markgjesdal]

Canada wished to have independance from Britain in regards to their foreign policy. Prime Minister of Canada Mackenzie King fought hard to acheive this freeedom. Eventually Canada was granted freedom to have their own foreign policy. Britain was reluctant to do this though. After Canada gained this independance, other countries within the British Empire wanted the same rights as Canada. In 1926 a conference stated that all members were self-governing nations, "equal in status" to each other and "freely associated" with the British Commonwealth. In 1931 British parliament passed the Statute of Westminster which gave contries of the British Commonwealth control over their foreign affairs. Why would Britain allow all these countries to basically become independant if it meant that Britain's own Empire would diminish? Wouldn't most empires just want to have as much power as possible?

[Mr. Delainey]

I haven't read anything on Britain's motivation to let its empire go; however, I can offer a few insights that may be an approximation of the truth.

1). During the Great War Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders, etc. made great sacrifices. If you recall, Canada arguably became a nation in its own right by accomplishing what France and England could not do at Vimy. Australia and New Zealand both made similar contributions. So, even before the war was over the "colonies" were calling for more of a share in decision-making power in recognition of their sacrifice.

2). I think England woke up to the fact that if they didn't participate in the creation of the Commonwealth they'd lose their empire altogether. The world following the Great War was a different place. I don't think it was safe any longer to assume the colonies would unquestioningly or automatically jump to assist England in a future war. Canadians (and others) wanted to control their own external policies so they wouldn't be thrust into conflicts that had nothing to do with them. For example, England wanted Canada to assist it in a small conflict in the Balkans area following World War I. We politely refused.

3). If England re-negotiated the relationship between the members of the former empire they could still maintain preferential trade with say Canada, Australia, South Africa, etc. The empire was gone but that didn't mean that England's economy couldn't benefit from a new type of relationship.

These are some thoughts.