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- 1919: After WW I the Commonwealth countries signed peace treaty of Versailles and achieved representation in the League of Nations
- 1926: Imperial Conference defined future status of Dominions
- 1931: Statute of Westminster established the independence of the Dominions
- 1932: Economic links between Britain and CW countries were strengthened through preferential tariffs
- 1949: Beginning of the modern CW (London Declaration)
- 1991: Harare CW Declaration (Principles)
- Reaction to racial integration by passing Nationality Acts and founding race relation committees
- Most recent law (2006) - Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act: Control new immigration and make integration more effective
- The Commission for Racial Equality (1967):
Stop racial discrimination and promote good relations between immigrants and native British
- Transformation from an Anglo-Saxon into a multicultural society ("class and ethnicity")
- Before WW II: Small immigration waves
- After WW II: Mass immigration
- Main ethnic groups among 4 million immigrants: Black immigrants, Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis
- Nowadays, most immigrant groups settle
in and around London
- Empire consisting of Great Britain and its possessions, dominions, dependencies
- Largest colonial empire in history
- Spread of culture, language, institution
- Right to live in the UK and entitlement to advantages of British welfare system (Commonwealth)
- Labour shortage in British basic industries
- West Indians thought as themselves as British
- Higher standard of living (job and better living conditions)
- Some Coloured had served in British army and settled in Britain after WW II
- Asylum: poverty, discrimination and persecution
- No homogenous group (different ethnic origins)
- Of different religion (Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs)
- Discrimination, unemployment, inferior housing
- Influx of asylum seekers, refugees, illegal immigrants
- But: Some advances in racial equality (Business, Sport) and great pluralism
- 16th century: discovery of America
- Competition between European Great Power
- England was last to join colonial powers, but outdid rivals later
- Until 19th century: economic interests, trade
- Shaping of Empire in stages:
- Exploration and discovery
- Establishment of trading posts
- Emigration and settlement
- 1607-1776: First British Empire mainly consisted of colonies in North America
- 1773: Boston Tea Party led to the American War of Independence and the break-up of the First British Empire
- 19th century: Foundation of the Second Empire (India, Far East)
- British colonisation policies developed into policy
of aggressive imperialism
- International oragnisation
- Voluntary association of 53 independent states
- Central institution: CW Secretariat in London
- Symbolic Head: Queen
- Aims: Fight against terrorism and illegal immigration, exchange ideas of world trade, etc.
- Commonwealth Games
- Politically the CW has not always come up to expectations
"The Dominions are autonomous communities within the British Empire equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any respect of their domestic or external affairs though united by a common allegiance to the Crown, and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations."
- Dependent territories = "Dependencies"
- Many enjoy self-government, but Britain remains responsible for defence and foreign affairs
- 2002: Inhabitants enjoy full British citizenship (Right to adobe in the UK)
- Chief ones are: Bermudas,Falkland Islands, Gibraltar
- Evolution in territories: Change from colonial to independent status (Decolonisation)
- peaceful process (white) <> rebellion (non-white)
- Main reason for decline of Empire: Demand for self-government of white settlers
- The status of the "white" colonies developed in three stages (Finally Dominions)
- Development of Independence status in African and Asian colonies only started after WW II
- Remains of the British Empire are 15 overseas
territories (special status)
Videos
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwEX_YVyAS4, 03/02/14
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWlcUAFVAb0, 05/02/14
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3csJN0wXew, 08/02/14
Books
- Spann, Ekkehard: Abiturwissen Englisch. Landeskunde GB/USA. Stuttgart: Klett. 2009. pp.48-55, 158-165
- Jacob, Rainer: Abitur-Wissen Englisch. Landeskunde Großbritannien. Freising: Stark. 2000. pp.1-12
- The New Summit. Texts and Methods. Paderborn: Schöningh. 2007. pp. 73-74; 56-57
Internet
- BBC: Short history of Immigration, http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/uk/2002/race/short_history_of_immigration.stm, 03/02/14
- BBC: The Truth About Immigration in the UK 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHplEJgevqM, 02/02/14
- http://thecommonwealth.org/our-history, 05/02/14
- http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/peeg/population-estimates-by-ethnic-group--experimental-/current-estimates/index.html, 13/02/14