Britain and the Dominions

This 1951 book explains how past events have led different nations of the Commonwealth to become Dominions.

W. R. Brock (Author)

9781107688339, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 30 June 2011

592 pages
20.3 x 12.7 x 3.3 cm, 0.64 kg

This 1951 book is the history of an idea. The unique concept of dominion status within a Commonwealth of Nations is the result of the need for freedom combined with peace, for independence combined with international obligations, for common action without central control. The attainment has come out of many conflicting forces which can only be studied historically. This book tells the experiences of the different nations of the Commonwealth, to explain how past events have led them into this unprecedented form of association. The British Commonwealth exemplifies a way in which independent and self-governing nations may live together, and also how nations that are somewhat politically, socially, or economically undeveloped may be partnered by those who have advanced a little further along the road to civilized society. Attention is also given to the dependent colonial Empire, particularly to those countries already within sight of full Dominion status.

Part I. The Rise of Britain as a World Power from the End of the Middle Ages to the Year 1793: Survey
1. The beginnings of overseas expansion (to 1600)
2. The founding of the British Empire (1600–50)
3. The era of expansion (1650–8)
4. The British political system I (1485–1660)
5. The British political system II (1660–1800)
6. Britain becomes the greatest colonial power (1688–1763)
Part II. From the Year 1763 to the Middle of the Nineteenth Century: Survey
7. Revolt and crisis within the Empire
8. The revival of Great Britain (1784–1815)
9. The British Empire in 1815
10. Ideas and influences upon the nineteenth-century Empire
11. Imperial problems in the first half of the nineteenth century I: non-British European races in the Empire
12. Imperial problems in the first half of the nineteenth century II: the new settlers
13. Imperial problems in the first half of the nineteenth century III: non-European races
14. Imperial problems in the first half of the nineteenth century IV: economic prosperity
15. Imperial problems in the first half of the nineteenth century V: the problem of government
Part III. From the Middle of the Nineteenth to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century: Survey
16. The British Isles
17. The changing world
18. The dominion of Canada and Newfoundland
19. Self-government in Australia and New Zealand
20. The transformation of India
21. The acquisition of a tropical African Empire
22. Imperialism
23. The old and the new in colonial rule
24. Contrasts in imperial rule. Ceylon, Malaya and Burma
25. South Africa, 1854–1910
26. The bonds of union
Part IV. From the Beginning of the Twentieth Century to the Present Day: Survey
27. Political and economic influences upon the twentieth-century empire
28. The First World War
29. From 1918 to 1939: the world situation
30. The Second World War
31. Imperial problems in the twentieth century I: government and organization
32. Imperial problems in the twentieth century II: problems in the art of self-government. Newfoundland, Malta, Kenya, and Southern Rhodesia
33. Imperial problems in the twentieth century III: Ireland
34. Imperial problems in the twentieth century IV: India, Burma, Ceylon, and Malaya
35. Imperial problems in the twentieth century V: the Middle East
36. Imperial problems in the twentieth century VI: the colonial empire
37. Modern Canada
38. Modern Australia
39. Modern New Zealand
40. Modern South Africa
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: International relations [JPS]