Dec 4 The Commonwealth

Introduction

Phases in the History of the Commonwealth

1917-1948 Britain + the white Dominions

1948-1957 Euro-South Asian phase (8 members)

1949 London Declaration

1957-1960s the coming of the black Commonwealth

1965 founding of the Commonwealth secretariat

 

I. Origins

commonwealth: "an association of peoples linked
by a desire for collective well-being"

 

II. Key moments [time line]

First World War

the Balfour Declaration on
Inter-Imperial Relations (1926)

the Statute of Westminster (1931)

 

III. Putting the Commonwealth to the Test

A. the Second World War

resources and imperial defense

Australia

B. Decolonization

race

republics

 

IV. the Commonwealth today