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The British Empire was gradually built up over 4 centuries from the 16 th
century.
The British colonization began in:
- North & South America
- Africa, Asia & the West Indies.
Emigrants from Britain settled in colonies such as the USA, Australia,
Canada, South Africa & New Zealand.
By the 19th century, British imperial rule & possessions embraced a
quarter of the worlds population.
In the late 19th & early 20th centuries large colonies such as:
- Canada, Australia, New Zealand & South Africa
Became self-governing dominions & eventually achieved
independence.
Many of their peoples were descendants of those settlers who
had emigrated from Britain in earlier centuries.
They regarded Britain as the mother country & nurtured a
shared kinship.
1931 the British Empire became the British Commonwealth of Nations &
independence was gradually granted to other colonies.
1947 India & Pakistan became independent.
1950s and 1960s African territories became independent
Many islands of the West Indies became later independent.
The colonies could choose whether to break all connections with the
colonial past or remain within the Commonwealth as independent nations.
Most of them decided to stay in the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth
- has nearly 1/3 of the worlds population.
- comprises peoples of different religions, races &
nationalities
They share a history of struggles for independence from
colonialism.
Britain joined the EU in 1973 and the Commonwealth question formed part of
the debate on membership.
Britain had a declining share of the Commonwealth trading market and its
economic priorities are now more with the EU & other world partners.
In the contemporary world the value of the Commonwealth must be based on a
concrete & realistic role which is distinctive from other global organizations.
It might function as a worldwide political forum which emphasizes:
Accountable government
Democratic concerns
Anti-corruption reform
Civil & human rights.
In 2005 the IRA announced that they would put all their weapons
beyond use and ordered their members to stop military action.
But criminal activities continue to be carried out by both
Unionist & Nationalist organizations.