The Queen's 54 Countries: Commonwealth of Nations Explained

Summary

The video explores the legacy of the British Empire and the creation of the Commonwealth of Nations, an association of 54 independent states, most of which were former British colonies. It covers the transformation of dominions like Canada and Australia, the transition of countries like India and Pakistan, and the evolution of the Commonwealth into a global entity. The video highlights how the Commonwealth serves economic, social, and political needs of its member states, from large economies to developing nations, while maintaining ties to British imperial history.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The British Empire, once the largest empire in history, left a significant legacy that led to the formation of the Commonwealth of Nations.
• 🌐 The Commonwealth of Nations is a unique association of 54 independent and sovereign states, many of which were former territories of the British Empire.
• 🌍 It covers 11.5 million square miles and includes 2.4 billion people, representing about 20% of the world's land and 32% of its population.
• 🇦🇺 The transition from British colonies to Dominion status in countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa marked the beginning of the Commonwealth.
• 👑 The 1926 Imperial Conference was pivotal, as it recognized the equality of Britain and its Dominions within the British Empire, leading to the first form of the Commonwealth.
• 📜 The Statute of Westminster in 1931 formalized the Commonwealth's structure, allowing for self-governing Dominions to remain under the Crown's authority.
• 🇮🇳 India's independence in 1947 and its initial inclusion in the Commonwealth marked a shift towards a more diverse and inclusive association of nations.
• 🔄 The Commonwealth evolved to accept member states with different forms of government, as seen when India, a republic, was allowed to remain after a 1949 meeting.
• 🇿🇦 South Africa's exit and re-entry, along with Pakistan's temporary departure, highlight the dynamic nature of the Commonwealth's membership.
• 🌿 Mozambique's inclusion in 1995, as a former Portuguese colony, signified the Commonwealth's expansion beyond its British colonial roots.
• 👑 Today, 16 Commonwealth Realms recognize the British monarch as their head of state, showcasing the ongoing influence of British constitutional monarchy.

Q & A

What was the primary reason for the creation of the Commonwealth of Nations?

The Commonwealth of Nations was created as a legacy of the British Empire, allowing former colonies to remain associated with one another under a shared history while maintaining their sovereignty.

How large is the Commonwealth of Nations in terms of land area and population?

The Commonwealth of Nations has a land area of 11.5 million square miles (29.9 million square kilometers) and includes 2.4 billion people, making up approximately 20% of the world’s land and 32% of its population.

What historical event led to the creation of the term 'British Commonwealth of Nations'?

The term 'British Commonwealth of Nations' was coined during the 1926 Imperial Conference, where Britain and its Dominions agreed to be equal members of the British Empire, despite all owing allegiance to the Crown.

Why was the early Commonwealth referred to as the 'White Commonwealth'?

The early Commonwealth was called the 'White Commonwealth' because the only members represented at the 1926 Imperial Conference were predominantly white colonies like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, while other colonies, especially in Africa and Asia, were excluded.

What significant change in 1949 allowed India to remain part of the Commonwealth after becoming a republic?

In 1949, Commonwealth leaders decided that member states could remain in the Commonwealth if they accepted the British Crown as a 'symbol of free association' between nations, allowing India to stay in the Commonwealth despite becoming a republic.

Which two member states left the Commonwealth and later rejoined, and when did they rejoin?

South Africa left the Commonwealth in 1961 and rejoined in 1994, while Pakistan left in 1972 and rejoined in 1989.

What is significant about Mozambique's membership in the Commonwealth of Nations?

Mozambique was the first nation to join the Commonwealth of Nations in 1995 without having been under British control, having been a Portuguese colony instead.

What is the 'Commonwealth Realm'?

The 'Commonwealth Realm' refers to the 16 member nations of the Commonwealth of Nations that continue to recognize the British monarch as their head of state. These include countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

How did the Statute of Westminster in 1931 shape the Commonwealth of Nations?

The Statute of Westminster in 1931 formalized the agreement made at the 1926 Imperial Conference, allowing Dominions of the British Empire to be equal members and marking the beginning of the Commonwealth's transition into a more independent association.

What role does the Commonwealth of Nations play today for its member states?

Today, the Commonwealth of Nations exists to serve the economic, social, and political needs of its 54 member states, from large economies to developing nations, providing a platform for cooperation and development.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 The Legacy of the British Empire and the Formation of the Commonwealth

This paragraph outlines the remnants of the British Empire's influence, despite its dissolution in the late 1960s, and how it led to the creation of the Commonwealth of Nations. The Commonwealth, consisting of 54 independent sovereign states, is largely made up of former British colonies. Covering 20% of the world’s land and 32% of its population, the Commonwealth remains a unique global entity with roots in British imperialism. It describes how British Dominions like Canada and Australia gained semi-independence through Dominion status before becoming equal members of the British Empire at the 1926 Imperial Conference, which formalized the British Commonwealth of Nations.

05:01

🌏 From ‘White Commonwealth’ to Global Commonwealth

This paragraph details how the early Commonwealth, also known as the 'White Commonwealth,' primarily consisted of the United Kingdom's white colonies, excluding vast regions under British rule in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. It explains the transition from a British-centric Commonwealth to one that included more diverse nations. It highlights India's independence in 1947 and the significant 1949 decision allowing republics like India to remain Commonwealth members by recognizing the British Crown as a symbolic head, thus dropping the 'British' from its title. Other nations like Pakistan and Sri Lanka joined, while Ireland withdrew.

🌍 Expanding and Adapting the Commonwealth of Nations

This paragraph discusses the Commonwealth's growth and challenges post-1949. It notes the exit of two member states, South Africa in 1961 and Pakistan in 1972, and their eventual return, with Pakistan rejoining in 1989 and South Africa in 1994. It also marks the inclusion of Mozambique, the first member never under British rule, in 1995, and Rwanda, which joined in 2009. Today, the Commonwealth consists of 54 member states with a mix of former British colonies and other countries. Some nations continue to recognize the British monarch as their head of state, forming the Commonwealth Realm.

🌐 The Modern Commonwealth’s Global Influence

This paragraph describes the Commonwealth of Nations as one of the largest country associations globally, serving the economic, social, and political interests of its diverse member states. From developed economies to developing nations, the Commonwealth is an enduring legacy of British imperialism. The paragraph wraps up with a mention of the video’s creator, 435American, and a closing thanks to viewers.

Keywords

💡British Empire

The British Empire was the largest empire in world history, spanning multiple continents including Africa, Asia, and North America. In the video, it is highlighted as a force that shaped global geopolitics and laid the foundation for the Commonwealth of Nations. Its decline, starting in the early 20th century, led to the independence of many former colonies.

💡Commonwealth of Nations

The Commonwealth of Nations is a political association of 54 independent states, many of which were formerly part of the British Empire. The video explains that it evolved from the British Commonwealth of Nations, formed after the decline of the British Empire, and now serves as a platform for collaboration in economic, social, and political arenas.

💡Dominion

Dominions were semi-autonomous polities within the British Empire that gained partial self-governance while still recognizing the British Crown's authority. The video refers to countries like Canada and Australia, which were granted Dominion status, marking the beginning of their political autonomy and forming the early Commonwealth.

💡Statute of Westminster

The Statute of Westminster, passed in 1931, formalized the equality of the British Dominions with the United Kingdom. This law marked the official formation of the British Commonwealth of Nations, which evolved into the modern Commonwealth of Nations. The statute allowed the Dominions to control their own legislation while maintaining a symbolic link to the Crown.

💡Imperial Conference of 1926

The Imperial Conference of 1926 was a critical meeting where Britain and its Dominions agreed that they were equal members of the British Empire, rather than being controlled by the United Kingdom. The video mentions this conference as a turning point that laid the groundwork for the Commonwealth of Nations.

💡White Commonwealth

The term 'White Commonwealth' refers to the early version of the Commonwealth of Nations, which mainly included predominantly white nations such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The video critiques this initial grouping, highlighting that it excluded many of Britain's other colonies, particularly those in Africa and Asia.

💡India's Independence (1947)

India's independence in 1947 marked a significant moment in the decline of the British Empire. The video discusses how India, despite becoming a republic and severing formal ties with the British Crown, remained part of the Commonwealth of Nations due to a 1949 agreement that allowed republican nations to stay in the Commonwealth.

💡Commonwealth Realm

The Commonwealth Realm refers to the 16 member states of the Commonwealth that recognize the British monarch as their head of state. The video lists countries like Canada, Jamaica, and Australia, which continue to maintain this constitutional monarchy arrangement within the modern Commonwealth.

💡Mozambique

Mozambique became the first country to join the Commonwealth of Nations in 1995 without having been a part of the British Empire. The video highlights this as an example of the Commonwealth's expanding inclusivity, welcoming nations that were formerly under different colonial rulers.

💡Geopolitical Legacy

The term 'geopolitical legacy' refers to the long-lasting effects of the British Empire on current international relations and political structures. The video explores how the Empire’s colonial practices influenced the formation of the Commonwealth of Nations and continue to shape the relationships between member states.

Highlights

The British Empire’s decline in the late ’60s left a long-lasting legacy, leading to the creation of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of 54 independent and sovereign states, most of which are former territories of the British Empire.

The Commonwealth covers 11.5 million square miles and 2.4 billion people, representing approximately 20% of the world’s land and 32% of the world’s population.

The Commonwealth has its roots in British imperialism and is unique on the global stage.

The early form of the Commonwealth, known as the British Commonwealth of Nations, was agreed upon at the 1926 Imperial Conference.

In 1931, the Statute of Westminster formalized the Commonwealth, giving more independence to its Dominions like Canada and Australia.

Initially, the 'British Commonwealth' was predominantly a 'White Commonwealth' with only white colonies represented, excluding vast non-white regions like Africa and India.

India's independence in 1947 marked a pivotal shift in the Commonwealth, leading to a change in membership criteria in 1949 that allowed republics like India to remain in the organization.

In 1949, the Commonwealth dropped 'British' from its name, becoming the modern Commonwealth of Nations.

By 1949, Pakistan and Sri Lanka had also joined the Commonwealth, while the Irish Free State withdrew.

South Africa left the Commonwealth in 1961 and Pakistan in 1972, but both later rejoined, South Africa after 33 years in 1994.

Mozambique, a former Portuguese colony, became the first non-British colony to join the Commonwealth in 1995.

As of 2009, the Commonwealth has 54 member states, with Rwanda being the most recent addition.

While Commonwealth members can choose their head of state, 16 nations still recognize the Queen as a reigning constitutional monarch.

The Commonwealth of Nations serves the economic, social, and political needs of its member states, ranging from large economies to developing nations.

Transcripts

The British Empire hasn’t really existed since the late ’60s, however, the empire

didn’t disappear without leaving a long-lasting legacy on the geopolitical landscape of today

-- a legacy that led to the creation of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of 54 independent and sovereign states, most

of which are former territories of the British Empire.

With a conjoined land area of 11.5 million square miles [29.9 million sq km] and 2.4

billion people, the Commonwealth contains approximately 20% of the world’s land and

32% of the world’s inhabitants.

This massive association is unique on the world stage, with its roots in British imperialism.

At its height the largest empire that the world had ever seen, the decline of the British

Empire led to political turmoil and unrest throughout its formerly colonized regions,

particularly outside of its mostly white colonies like Canada and Australia.

These colonies would be the first to see change, being promoted to Dominion status throughout

the late 19th century and early 20th century.

This meant they had more independence over their own affairs while still ultimately being

under the authority of the Crown.

Canada would be first to become a Dominion in 1867, followed by Australia in 1901, New

Zealand and Newfoundland in 1907, South Africa in 1910, and Ireland in 1922 -- the leaders

of which would attend the 1926 Imperial Conference.

At this Conference, Britain and its Dominions agreed that they would all be equal members

of the British Empire, meaning, despite all owing allegiance to the Crown, they would

not be ruled by the United Kingdom.

The powers at this Conference decided on the name ‘British Commonwealth of Nations’

to describe their newly formed organization, the first form of what we now call the Commonwealth

of Nations today.

This agreement would be formalized in the Statute of Westminster in 1931, allowing the

Commonwealth to take shape.

It is notable to point out that, at the time of the Imperial Conference, the British Empire

included vast areas of land in Africa, much of the Middle East, the entirety of Pakistan

and India, as well as several other regions across the world, while the only territories

represented at the Imperial Conference were the predominantly white members of the British

empire, leading many to refer to this early form of the Commonwealth as the ‘White Commonwealth’.

The newly formed ‘British Commonwealth of Nations’ would only exist in this form for

a relatively brief period, however.

Britain’s colonies not included in the early commonwealth began to seek further separation

and even independence from the British, beginning with India in 1947.

India would become part of the Commonwealth initially, however, upon announcing intentions

to severe ties with the Crown and become a republic in 1949, it would no longer meet

the requirements for Commonwealth membership.

It was because of India’s switch to a republican form of government that, at a meeting of Commonwealth

leaders in 1949, it was decided that member-states may be in the Commonwealth if they accepted

the British Crown as a ‘symbol of free-association’ between member-nations, meaning India could

remain in the Commonwealth.

Along with this change, it was decided that the ‘British Commonwealth of Nations’

would drop the ‘British’ in its title, becoming the Commonwealth of Nations we know

today.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka would also be Commonwealth members by 1949.

The Irish Free State, one of the founding members of the original British Commonwealth,

would withdraw from the Commonwealth at this time as well, meaning this is what the new

Commonwealth of Nations looked like as of 1949:

The number of Commonwealth nations would increase greatly throughout the next several decades,

however, it did not come without its issues.

2 other member-stares, on top of Ireland, would leave the Commonwealth—firstly the

founding member South Africa in 1961, and later Pakistan in 1972.

Both of these, however, would later rejoin, the first being Pakistain, rejoining after

17 years in 1989, and second South Africa, rejoining after 33 years in 1994.

Mozambique, joining in 1995, was the first nation to join the Commonwealth of Nations

that was not at some point under British control, but rather Portuguese control as a colony.

Today, the Commonwealth of Nations has 54 member states across the world, with the most

recent addition being Rwanda in November of 2009.

This is what the Commonwealth looks like today: While, since 1949, Commonwealth members have

been allowed to choose their head of state freely, many Commonwealth nations continue

to observe the Queen as a reigning constitutional monarch.

These 16 nations are all members of the Commonwealth of Nations and are collectively known as the

Commonwealth Realm.

These nations include, among others, Canada, Jamaica, the U.K., Australia, Papua New Guinea,

and New Zealand.

The Commonwealth of Nations is one of the largest associations of countries in the world

today and exists to serve the economic, social, and political needs of its member states,

from some of the world’s largest economies to countless developing nations and is an

interesting result of British imperialism.

This is 435American.

Thanks for watching.