The Commonwealth

The story of Britain`s Empire after World War II is a story of gaining independence by former colonial territories and establishing their own governments and policy. This issue was of primary importance in post-war British history and politics. As it was mentioned above, the British Empire united two separate entitles – there were the Commonwealth countries and colonies. The Commonwealth countries, formerly Dominions, were totally self-governing after the Statute of Westminster in 1931, but they accepted Britain`s monarch as the head of state and followed Britain`s lead in defence and foreign affairs. In 1945 these were Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Eire and South Africa.

Colonies were governed directly from London via a British-run administration, which supervised road-building, schools, medical services and other benefits for the colonies. The colonies were situated mainly in Africa, though they were also in the Far East (Singapore, Hong Kong), the Mediterranean (Malta, Cyprus), the Caribbean (Jamaica) and in other different parts of the world. These territories were at the same time a source of raw materials and an important market for British economy. In the post-war years the colonies developed self-government according the United Nations Charter of 1945. In India the national movement led by Mahatma Gandhi made the British leave India in 1947, after this the country divided into a Hindu state and a smaller Muslim state called Pakistan. Ceylon and Burma became independent in 1948, the same year Eire left the Commonwealth. South Africa also left the Commonwealth in 1961. All in all more than 500 million people in former British colonies became completely self-governing between 1945 and 1955.

The policy of decolonization was continued after 1950-s as well. In the 1960-s and 1970-s, self-government was granted to Nigeria, Cyprus, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Jamaica and Uganda. By 1979 only isolated colonies like Gibraltar, the Falklands and Hong Kong remained dependent. Today the small remnants of the Empire wish to continue with the imperial arrangements. These are Gibraltar, St.Helena, the Ascension Islands, Falklands and Belize. These small countries are a source for Britain`s pride on one hand but on the other hand it is a heavy burden – the possession of these territories does not fit the image of modern democratic state and costs the British taxpayer money.

Today the British Commonwealth of nations unites many of the former British colonies. Though this onion does not give any economic and political advantages, it keeps cultural contacts between its members alive.