The British Empire.

The British Empire :

It was at its maximum size in the 1920’s. They regroup 1/6 of the global population, it’s remaining until 1945. In 1947 India becomes  independence (Joyaux de la courrone) and in the 60’s Britain is going to lose his colonies in Africa. The British colonial adventure was mainly started because of commercial reason: Trade. There is role ideological frame for the British empire and the east Indian company is a perfect example : the company was given a royal charter to settled and trade in India. They were different types of territory within the British empire : The colonies, the dominion (Canada, Australia and New Zealand), Mandates, dependant territories (Hong Kong), protectorates and the companies.

We can distinguee between two empires :

-        1583-1783

-        1783-

In the 16th century the most important colonial were Spain and Portugal.

In the 19th century the most important colonial were France and Britain.

There is a combination of factor which led the extension of the growth of empire, and British empire particularly. The British empire was acquired for two many different reasons and ideological frame of the colonisation process was neither clear nor set.

Certain factors :

-        Trade

-        Christianity

-        Strategic imperative

-        Maritime advantages

Fin 19th century, Canada Australia and New Zealand were granted status of dominion, with Gladstone prime minister. They formed the Old Common wealth because there are linked with Monarchy and in 1949 with declaration of London led to the creation of modern common wealth. This one is not link to Britain, there are most independent.

The construction of the common wealth went hand in hand with the decolonization process.

The post war political climate was not favorable to the colonial empire. Politics were dominated by the United State and the soviet union. Both wanted the European empires territories to be opened to there influence and there export for the         United State. The soviets unions supported independence union in the hope of establishing politically favorable regimes in the ex colonial country. The USA sponsored rival ones.
In the colonies, nationalism movement calling for the establishment of democratic institution emerged. Education brought an local elite to think that their country should benefit from democratic institution

The internal and external factors mentioned are going to lead to an acceleration and deface of decolonization.

(United nation 1945 50 countries in 1990 150 countries)

The real dismantling in the empire took place in the 25 years following the 2nd world war. With the loss of empire went a loss of power and status

Historian says in 1962: “Britain has lost an empire and has not yet find a role”

That why it was in the mind of all Britain power, that if Britain would like to maintain it role power it’s had to maintain it’s links with the formers colonies. That why the Common Wealth is important for all political parties. Special trade, free circulation of human beings and goods are created to maintain the links. The common wealth was build in the idea shared.

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