British have invaded nine out of ten countries - so look out Luxembourg Britain has invaded all but 22 countries in the world in its long and colourful history, new research has found. The British monarch is also Head of the Commonwealth, but this is a purely symbolic and personal title; members of the Commonwealth (including the Commonwealth realms) are fully sovereign states. In 1888 the Imperial British East Africa Company [14][15] The dominions had been previously Crown colonies, and some of the colonies had been united to form dominions such as Union of South Africa and Commonwealth of Australia. It was established in 1484 and as part of the Royal Household operates under the authority of the Crown. [17], The British Raj, also called the Indian Empire, was the imperial political structure in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947, comprising British India (a Crown colony: presidencies and provinces directly governed by the British Crown through the Viceroy and Governor-General of India) and Princely States, governed by Indian rulers, under the suzerainty of the British Crown exercised through the Viceroy and Governor-General of India.[18]. The British thought of their rule as a form of "autocratic paternalism." The current monarch and head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who ascended the throne in 1952. A number of German colonies and protectorates and Ottoman provinces were held as mandates by the United Kingdom (Tanganyika, British Cameroons, Togoland, Palestine and Mesopotamia); and its dominions of Australia (New Guinea, Nauru), New Zealand (Western Samoa), and South Africa (South West Africa). [10][11], A chartered company is an association formed by investors or shareholders for the purpose of trade, exploration and colonisation. [12][13], A protectorate is a territory which is not formally annexed but in which, by treaty, grant or other lawful means, the Crown has power and jurisdiction. Queen Victoria's 1837 ascension to the throne ushered in British empire industrialization and global expansion. A protectorate differs from a "protected state". However, many of the Spaniards’ escaped slaves had formed communities in the highlands, and increasing numbers also escaped from British plantations. Several provinces and territories have joined since Confederation. It was established in 1484 and as part of the Royal Household operates under the authority of the Crown. After then, those countries that were previously referred to as "Dominions" became Commonwealth realms where the sovereign reigns no longer as the British monarch, but as monarch of each nation in its own right, and are considered equal to the United Kingdom and one another. Five years later, the United Kingdom officially upheld the formation of the Commonwealth by signing a document called the Statute of Westminster. If they are not currently under British rule, these locations were at one time. These are all independent countries -not ruled or governed by the UK. These countries are known as the “Commonwealth of Nations”. Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands are the only British Overseas Territories with recognised National Olympic Committees (NOCs); the British Olympic Association is recognised as the appropriate NOC for athletes from the other territories, and thus athletes who hold a British passport are eligible to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games. There remain, however, 14 global territories which remain under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United Kingdom. Britain was the dominant world power about 100–200 years ago. From there, the British Commonwealth started going by the Commonwealth of Nations, and you will commonly see it shortened as the Commonwealth. In legal terms the territories included those formally under the sovereignty of the British monarch (who held the additional title of Emperor (or Empress) of India from 1876 to 1947); various "foreign" territories controlled as protectorates; territories transferred to British administration under the authority of the League of Nations or the United Nations; and miscellaneous other territories, such as the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, a condominium with Egypt. The majority of English speaking countries are part of the British Commonwealth. There were so many additions, alterations, and revisions to the Commonwealth of Nations until 1949. [3][4], Crown colonies were ruled by a governor appointed by the monarch. Much of the rest of the Empire was dismantled in the twenty years following the end of the Second World War, starting with the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, and continued until the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. Spanish sovereignty recognized in 1748, Illegal but well-established English settlements. Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, British Military administration in Cyrenicia & Tripolitania, Presidencies and provinces of British India, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Declaration of Independence of the United States, Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, Unilateral Declaration of Egyptian Independence, Impact of Western European colonialism and colonisation, List of countries that gained independence from the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), since 1922, comprises four constituent countries: England, Scotland, and Wales (which collectively make up Great Britain), as well as Northern Ireland (variously described as a country, province or region). The tiny Principality of Monaco has been ruled by the Grimaldi … The College of Arms is the authority on the flying of flags in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and maintains the only official register of flags for these countries. The natures of the administration of the Empire changed both by time and place, and there was no uniform system of government in the Empire.[1][2]. Although the term British Isles has a long history of common usage, it has become increasingly controversial, especially for some in Ireland who object to its connotation of political and cultural connections between Ireland and the United Kingdom. The British Commonwealth refers to a collection of countries associated with the same political affiliation, meaning that the Commonwealth of Nations is intended to bring countries together and provide them with a foundation for economic growth, financial prosperity, and just overall success for all nations involved. Over time, a number of colonies were granted "responsible government", making them largely self-governing. Most of these countries used to be territories of the British Empire. They are Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. These include Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as several Caribbean states. Vaccines minister … Jamaica - Jamaica - British rule: In 1655 a British expedition under Admiral Sir William Penn and General Robert Venables captured Jamaica and began expelling the Spanish, a task that was accomplished within five years. British penetration of the area began at Zanzibar in the last quarter of the 19th century. Since the Act of Union in 1707, the United Kingdom has ruled vast swaths of land across the world. ... but in 1841 New Zealand became a British colony in its own right. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts established by England between the … https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/former-british-colonies.html However, this was purely a personal union, with Hanover maintaining its political independence otherwise, and so it is not usually considered to have formed part of the British Empire. It is an island, so it is well protected, having a water barrier, and on top of that was the dominant navy force for most of the time. The very first title of this political association amongst various countries was the British Commonwealth of Nations. Main settlement was Port Clarence now known as Malabo, Protectorate declared over hinterland of Gambia River in 1894, Incorporated into the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, Italian forces expelled, UN trusteeship of, Created from the Colony & Protectorate of, Annexed to form part of Her Majesty's dominions as part of the dominion of, United with Mashonaland as South Zambezia in 1894, United with Matabeleland as South Zambezia in 1894, Not a member of the Commonwealth between 1961 and 1994, Established as condominium between UK, France and Spain (later also Portugal, USA, Italy, Belgium, Sweden and the Netherlands), Zone dissolved, Tangier returned to Morocco, Reverted to control of the Hudson's Bay Company, Formed by the federation of the provinces of the, Re-established within the Dominion of Canada as the province of, Formed by the amalgamation of the provinces of Lower and Upper Canada, Joined the Dominion of Canada and divided into the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, Now the southern halves of Ontario and Quebec, Canada, Re-established within the Dominion of Canada as the province of Ontario in 1867, Sovereignty formally relinquished by Great Britain, Now part of the state of Florida, United States, Now divided between the Canadian provinces of, Nominally included territory that is now part of the provinces of, Divided into the provinces of Lower Canada and Upper Canada, Nominally included territory that is now part of the Canadian territories and provinces of, Now divided between British Columbia and Yukon, Canada, Southern part returned to Spanish sovereignty; sovereignty of northern part formally relinquished by Great Britain, Part of colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands, Unilateral declaration of independence as, Independence as part of Antigua and Barbuda, Colony of Port Royal (Roatan). They are remnants of the British Empire and do not form part of the United Kingdom itself. A number of countries (dominions) within the British Empire gained independence in stages during the earlier part of the 20th century. Which countries are ruled by the Queen of England? Eventually these were converted to Crown colonies. Within twenty years of the partition and independence in 1947 of British India (considered to be the most important colonial possession), most of the Empire's territories had achieved full independence. Every continent in the world has member countries that are part of the British … Split between the re-established province of Assam and the re-constituted presidency of Bengal, Ceded by the Dutch and subordinated to the, Kowloon and Stonecutters Island ceded by China, New Territories leased from China for 99 years, Labuan to British N. Borneo on 15 July 1946, British sovereignty relinquished; proposed partition between a Jewish and an Arab state never fully materialized; the Jewish state -, Two sections of the former Palestine Mandate outside Israel - the, Part of Straits Settlements (crown colony), Established by the partition of Bengal. ... European countries with interest in Africa met in Berlin in 1884 to divide the continent among themselves. There are 195 countries in this world and there are only few countries that are never ruled by the British Empire.British is the only one country who take over more countries all over the world.British Empire take over all over the world except only 22 countries. The big boys in this political set up would probably be the Sikh rulers in the north west, the Marathas in western and central India, and the Mysore Kingdom of Tipu Sultan. See England; Ireland; Northern Ireland; Scotland; United Kingdom; Wales. Independent again but in personal union with England, Formal name changed from "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland" to "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland", Annexed into England by Act of English Parliament, Devolved National Assembly established (renamed to, Part of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Crown colony (with the same Governor of the Tuvalu colony), Colony administered with the same Governor of, Great Britain formally recognises the independence of the United States. British Guiana 26 May: 1966 India: British Raj 15 August: 1947 Independence Day (India) Iraq: 3 October: 1932 Israel: Mandatory Palestine 14 May: 1948 Independence declared after League of Nations mandate ended, and reaffirmed by a UN resolution to divide Mandatory Palestine to a Jewish and an Arab states. The UK Prime Minister's website has used the phrase "countries within a country" to describe the United Kingdom. In 1905, the colonial government divided Bengal into Hindu and Muslim sections; this … Jamaica - Jamaica - British rule: In 1655 a British expedition under Admiral Sir William Penn and General Robert Venables captured Jamaica and began expelling the Spanish, a task that was accomplished within five years. Interestingly enough, most, though not all, of the countries in the British Commonwealth happen to be British colonies. However, a lot of countries have since left the UK’s rule. LOCKDOWN will be “gradually lifted” in March once all over 70s have received the coronavirus vaccine, the government hopes. A … 15. New research shows that practically everyone has been invaded by British troops at one point or another. The only country in South America that is part of the British Commonwealth is Guyana in the continent's northern region. Russia was successful in capturing some of the northern areas of the Empire (present-day Turkmenistan, for example) in the 19th century. In theory these territories were governed on behalf of the League of Nations for the benefit of their inhabitants. The British Overseas Territories (BOTs), also known as United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs), are fourteen territories all with a constitutional and historical link with the United Kingdom. Below are the British Commonwealth countries in alphabetical order. Scotland independent again but in personal union with England, Political union with Scotland to form the, Formed by union of the kingdoms of England and Scotland, Union of Great Britain with Ireland to form the, United States of Ionian Islands, under British protection, Kingdom subordinated to the English (later British) Crown. Every continent in the world has member countries that are part of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Together, these countries formed the British Empire. [7] Later as the white colonies gained more internal responsible government, the lower house began to supersede the (usually unelected) upper house as the colonial legislature, and the position of Premier emerged. It was unclear if the spike was due to the presence of the U.K. virus variant, of which only one case has so far been confirmed in a visiting British citizen. United with England and Ireland as the Commonwealth of England. Although the term British Isles has a long history of common usage, it has become increasingly controversial, especially for some in Ireland who object to its connotation of political and cultural connections between Ireland and the United Kingdom. Republicanism became more prevalent in the Early Modern period, but monarchy remained predominant in Europe during the 19th century.Since the end of World War I, however, most European monarchies have been abolished.There remain, as of 2020, twelve sovereign monarchies in Europe.Seven are kingdoms: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts established by England between the late 16th and early 18th centuries. However, a lot of countries have since left the UK’s rule. The British Empire is only one of the more recent ones and likely the only one you are familiar with coming from a largely English speaking bias. The Crown claimed absolute sovereignty over them, although they were not formally part of the United Kingdom itself. 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