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Imperial Federation

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22: 188: 177: 568: 233:. Thus, Imperial unity could be maintained while still allowing for democratic government. The colonies would increase their influence while Britain would be able to share the costs of imperial defence. The best features of large states could be combined with the best features of small states. It was seen as a method of solving the 428:, however saw the movement as a way to increase the influence of the dominions over imperial defence and foreign policy. The colonial branches of the Imperial Federation League in fact outlived the demise of the home branch in London, which collapsed in 1896 when it failed to resolve internal disputes over imperial trade policy. 532:
United Kingdom to Australia in under 24 hours, seriously overcoming the limitation of distance which hampered the idea a century ago. They remark that internet and the ability to instant message/call the other side of the world has greatly increased the connectivity between these four countries. In August 2018 the Canadian
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movement. Critics sceptical of the CANZUK movement make the argument that "distance and the size of trading partners matter more than historical links in determining trading relationships between countries". Conversely, advocates argue that technological advances now make it possible to fly from the
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New national identities emerging throughout the dominions was also a cause for concern. Growing autonomy for Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa led to each of them adopting coats of arms of their own rather than continuing to use those of the United Kingdom. Some felt that the growing
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Supporters of the Imperial Federation regarded the United Kingdom as having two possible futures: imperial union of its colonies consisting of different ethnic groups and continued long-term importance in global affairs, or imperial dissolution and the reduction of the status of the country to a
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By the 1880s the British Empire covered a quarter of the world's land area, and included a fifth of the world's population. There was no doubt about the vastness of the potential, and there was agreement that opportunities were largely wasted because politically and constitutionally there was no
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which produced greater feelings of national identity in several dominions, Canada and Australia in particular. Defence concerns and problems of imperial cooperation were partially resolved through the system of Colonial or Imperial Conferences and with growing sentiments by various dominion
417:, called colonial nationalism. The granting of authority to a super-parliament composed of many competing interests was seen by opponents as a compromise to the powers of the local parliaments. Leading colonial supporters of imperial federation, such as Australian prime minister 168:. The future of the empire remained uncertain, as it was unclear what the result would be if all colonies eventually became self-governing. Among other concerns, it would be very difficult for British interests to be maintained if every colony was essentially already sovereign. 80:, the main advocacy group, split into two factions in 1893, with one group promoting imperial defence and the other encouraging imperial trade. Various proposals were put forward, with most of them calling for a single state with an imperial parliament headquartered in 439:
from 1895 to 1903, was sympathetic to the idea, his proposals for a permanent Imperial Council or Council of the Empire which would be a kind of Imperial Parliament passing policies that would bind colonial governments, was rejected at the
540:, increased travel protection, and security co-ordination between the four countries. The CANZUK treaty has some political support in the minor political parties of other CANZUK countries, with the New Zealand 95:
The new parliament was envisioned to cooperatively deal with internal trade, foreign relations, defence, and other issues that affected the entire federation. The new parliament would have representatives from
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second-class nation with little to no power projection. In response to claims that geography was against federation on such a large scale, it was said that scientific advancements would solve the difficulty.
1140: 1064: 347:" which would also encompass the predominantly white self-governing colonies and dominions. The League could not agree on its primary role of focusing on either defence or trade, and was dissolved in 1893. 448:
due to fears that such a scheme would undermine the autonomy of colonies. Similarly, proposals for centralising the Empire's armed forces were also rejected as were his proposals for an Empire
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during the late 20th century. In the Imperial Federation, Ireland would also have self-government, which was expected to reduce demand for independence in Ireland.
405:, Indian MPs serving in the House of Commons, Hedderwick mooted the possibility that an autonomous India might one day be represented in an Imperial Parliament. 350:
Canadian advocates of imperial federation were termed "Canadian Imperialists" and their ideology was "Canadian Imperialism" in Canadian historiography since
775: 1102: 883: 160:(Canada, Newfoundland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the Straits Settlements). Most were ruled by colonial officials including India, the 884:"FEDERATION FOR ENGLAND.; IMPERIAL FEDERATION. The Problem of National Unity. By George R. Parkin, M.A. With map. 12mo. New-York: Macmillan & Co" 21: 1166: 1128: 1090: 536:
proposed a CANZUK treaty which aims to achieve free trade in goods and services, visa-free travel arrangements, reciprocal healthcare, increased
917: 89: 211:, and this led to calls for the creation of unifying symbols such as a British Empire flag to represent a new multinational reality. 41:, presenting it as an alternative to colonial imperialism. No such proposal was ever adopted, but various schemes were popular in 394: 200:(above) and a digital recreation of it (below). The flag was made to promote unity by recognising the symbols of the dominions. 982: 642: 1245: 1141:
The Finance of Federal Government for the United Kingdom: A Paper read before the Royal Statistical Society, January, 1903.
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Federal Government for the United Kingdom and the Empire: Reprinted from 'Nineteenth Century,' August, 1901.
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have not referenced CANZUK directly but have stated support for policies which align with the aims of CANZUK.
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would have internal self-government, although still accountable to this new parliament in London, similar to
668:"Greater Britain or Greater Synthesis? Seeley, Mackinder, and Wells on Britain in the Global Industrial Era" 533: 1175:
The Kingdom of Canada: Imperial Federation, the Colonial Conferences, the Alaska Boundary and Other Essays
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was founded in London in 1884 and subsequent branches were established in Canada, Australia, New Zealand,
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Steps to Imperial Federation: A Paper read before the Royal Colonial Institute, November 11th, 1902.
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L. Dyer, "Anglo-Saxon Citizenship," The Barrister 3 (1897):107. Cited in Dimitry Kochenov (2019)
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that would rule the latter directly, while the dominions such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand,
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The British Empire consisted of many colonies, several of which were largely self-governing
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were rejected by the British Liberal governments due to their preference for international
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unity, no common policies, no agreed central direction, no "permanent binding force" said
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in 1897 proposed an Anglo-Saxon "intercitizenship" during an address to the Fellows of
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reminded listeners to his lecture in 1885 that it was now as easy to reach London from
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The Quest for Empire Unity: The Imperial Federationists and Their Cause, 1869-93
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was a series of proposals in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to create a
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Creating an Imperial Federation thus became a popular alternative proposal to
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among all colonies of the British Empire. The federation would have a common
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The Idea of Greater Britain: Empire and the Future of World Order, 1860-1900
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Many proposals were put forward, but none commanded majority support. The
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status of the dominions was not reflected in British symbols such as the
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One of the main obstacles to the scheme was what one of its proponents,
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In recent years, following the United Kingdom's decision to leave the
331:. Several members of the Imperial Federation League were motivated by 1028: 961: 262: 258: 113: 66: 42: 851: 241:, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland (along with the other members of the 735:
The Lion's Share: A Short History of British Imperialism 1850–1970
497:. It was last discussed seriously at the governmental level at the 308: 157: 133: 25:
Map showing the British Empire in 1886 (before expansion in Africa)
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all explicitly stating their support for CANZUK. The Australian
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Mehrotra, Sri Ram. "Imperial federation and India, 1868–1917."
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The idea of Imperial unity was carried on after World War I by
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Apostle of Empire': Sir George Parkin and Imperial Federation
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would be implemented; however, the policy did not survive
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governments for greater independence resulting in the
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The Imperial Federation Movement in Canada, 1884-1902
924:. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 2013-07-17. 836:"Imperial Federation: The Problem of National Unity" 563: 1190:Smith, William Roy. "British Imperial Federation." 746:William Roy Smith, "British Imperial Federation." 1185:Journal of Commonwealth & Comparative Politics 92:'s colonies beginning from the mid 20th century. 84:. Such proposals were never put into effect, and 1232: 397:. Recalling to the House the contributions of 88:would eventually happen to a vast majority of 520:which continues to promote the Commonwealth. 358:identified this as a separate ideology from 1165:: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list ( 1127:: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list ( 1089:: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list ( 833: 722:Historical Dictionary of the British Empire 484:Support for imperial federation waned with 1211:The Imperial Federation Movement in Canada 1054:The Failure of the Imperial Idea in Canada 16:Proposed unification of the British Empire 985:. Union & Sovereignty. Archived from 859: 834:Trent, W. P.; Parkin, George R. (1893). 20: 665: 362:. Noted Canadian Imperialists included 1233: 1213:. Phd Thesis, Northwestern University. 798: 796: 1056:. PhD thesis, University of Delaware. 933: 762: 249:would become a purely Imperial body. 630: 393:MP, raised the issue in the British 265:as it had been to reach London from 245:) would have their own Parliaments. 1227:. Phd Thesis, Univ. of Pennsylvania 793: 781:from the original on 13 August 2023 437:Secretary of State for the Colonies 13: 1046: 466:British Empire Economic Conference 108:as well as crown colonies such as 14: 1262: 1206:. PhD thesis, Queen's University. 934:Giles, Chris (22 November 2016). 756: 1137:Thomas Brassey, 2nd Earl Brassey 1099:Thomas Brassey, 2nd Earl Brassey 1061:Thomas Brassey, 2nd Earl Brassey 566: 196:The original 1910 design of the 186: 175: 1052:Agnew, Christopher Mack. 1980. 1021: 1000: 975: 954: 927: 908: 876: 827: 672:Review of International Studies 423:Minister of Militia and Defence 298: 1177:(Morang & Company, 1908). 818: 805: 763:Kelly, Ralph (8 August 2017). 740: 727: 714: 659: 637:. Princeton University Press. 624: 143: 1: 1220:. Phd thesis, Duke University 815:ISBN 9780262537797, page 139. 617: 464:. It would not be until the 408: 319:, it was also popular among 7: 1246:Political history of Canada 1192:Political Science Quarterly 840:Political Science Quarterly 748:Political Science Quarterly 559: 495:Statute of Westminster 1931 491:Balfour Declaration of 1926 458:Imperial preferential trade 229:and would be governed as a 10: 1267: 518:Royal Commonwealth Society 479: 305:Imperial Federation League 78:Imperial Federation League 684:10.1017/S026021050000187X 446:1902 Colonial Conferences 380:George Taylor Denison III 1209:Guthrie, Dorothy. 1940. 666:Deudney, Daniel (2001). 501:where it was dismissed. 499:1937 Imperial Conference 442:1897 Colonial Conference 37:to replace the existing 1223:Shields, Robert. 1961. 861:2027/mdp.39015022182524 765:"A flag for the Empire" 582:Commonwealth free trade 514:Commonwealth of Nations 237:problem in Ireland, as 1194:36.2 (1921): 274–297. 1173:Ewart, John Skirving. 1010:. Libertarian Party UK 1008:"Libertarian Party UK" 750:36.2 (1921): 274-297. 546:British Unionist Party 329:William Edward Forster 26: 631:Bell, Duncan (2007). 574:British Empire portal 403:Mancherjee Bhownagree 61:as an alternative to 24: 1216:MacLean, Guy. 1958. 1202:Cook, Terry. 1977. ' 607:Round Table movement 592:External association 510:Round Table movement 454:Imperial Conferences 368:George Robert Parkin 360:Canadian nationalism 321:Liberal Imperialists 128:that was granted to 1031:. Liberal Democrats 720:Kenneth J. Panton, 612:Supranational union 470:Imperial Preference 269:at the time of the 255:Edward Ellis Morris 198:British Empire flag 31:Imperial Federation 1251:Proposed countries 1187:1.1 (1961): 29–40. 1145:Problems of Empire 1107:Problems of Empire 1069:Problems of Empire 920:2012-10-25 at the 888:The New York Times 772:The Flag Institute 534:Conservative Party 433:Joseph Chamberlain 364:George Monro Grant 356:The Sense of Power 341:John Robert Seeley 317:Conservative Party 271:Acts of Union 1707 59:Joseph Chamberlain 27: 644:978-0-691-15116-8 554:Liberal Democrats 550:Libertarian Party 387:Thomas Hedderwick 337:Sir Charles Dilke 285:Albert Venn Dicey 65:'s proposals for 63:William Gladstone 1258: 1170: 1164: 1156: 1132: 1126: 1118: 1094: 1088: 1080: 1040: 1039: 1037: 1036: 1025: 1019: 1018: 1016: 1015: 1004: 998: 997: 995: 994: 983:"A Sovereign UK" 979: 973: 972: 970: 969: 958: 952: 951: 949: 948: 931: 925: 912: 906: 905: 903: 902: 880: 874: 873: 863: 831: 825: 822: 816: 809: 803: 800: 791: 790: 788: 786: 780: 769: 760: 754: 744: 738: 733:Bernard Porter, 731: 725: 718: 712: 711: 663: 657: 656: 628: 576: 571: 570: 569: 516:and also by the 456:, proposals for 452:. At subsequent 399:Dadabhai Naoroji 395:House of Commons 333:ethnonationalism 275:Washington, D.C. 243:Old Commonwealth 190: 179: 130:Northern Ireland 1266: 1265: 1261: 1260: 1259: 1257: 1256: 1255: 1231: 1230: 1158: 1157: 1120: 1119: 1082: 1081: 1049: 1047:Further reading 1044: 1043: 1034: 1032: 1027: 1026: 1022: 1013: 1011: 1006: 1005: 1001: 992: 990: 981: 980: 976: 967: 965: 960: 959: 955: 946: 944: 941:Financial Times 932: 928: 922:Wayback Machine 913: 909: 900: 898: 882: 881: 877: 852:10.2307/2139892 832: 828: 823: 819: 810: 806: 801: 794: 784: 782: 778: 767: 761: 757: 745: 741: 732: 728: 719: 715: 664: 660: 645: 629: 625: 620: 602:Political union 572: 567: 565: 562: 538:consumer choice 482: 411: 372:Stephen Leacock 345:Greater Britain 343:to call for a " 325:New Imperialism 323:(proponents of 301: 204: 203: 202: 201: 193: 192: 191: 182: 181: 180: 146: 17: 12: 11: 5: 1264: 1254: 1253: 1248: 1243: 1241:British Empire 1229: 1228: 1221: 1214: 1207: 1199: 1198: 1188: 1181: 1171: 1133: 1095: 1057: 1048: 1045: 1042: 1041: 1020: 999: 974: 953: 926: 907: 890:. 1892-08-28. 875: 826: 824:Ewart. p. 163. 817: 804: 792: 755: 739: 726: 724:(2015) p. 238. 713: 678:(2): 187–208. 658: 643: 622: 621: 619: 616: 615: 614: 609: 604: 599: 594: 589: 584: 578: 577: 561: 558: 525:European Union 481: 478: 426:Sir Sam Hughes 410: 407: 376:Sir Sam Hughes 313:British Guiana 300: 297: 273:, or to reach 195: 194: 185: 184: 183: 174: 173: 172: 171: 170: 145: 142: 86:decolonisation 39:British Empire 15: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1263: 1252: 1249: 1247: 1244: 1242: 1239: 1238: 1236: 1226: 1222: 1219: 1215: 1212: 1208: 1205: 1201: 1200: 1197: 1193: 1189: 1186: 1182: 1180: 1176: 1172: 1168: 1162: 1154: 1150: 1146: 1142: 1138: 1134: 1130: 1124: 1116: 1112: 1108: 1104: 1100: 1096: 1092: 1086: 1078: 1074: 1070: 1066: 1062: 1058: 1055: 1051: 1050: 1030: 1029:"Immigration" 1024: 1009: 1003: 989:on 2019-02-03 988: 984: 978: 963: 962:"Immigration" 957: 943: 942: 937: 930: 923: 919: 916: 911: 897: 893: 889: 885: 879: 871: 867: 862: 857: 853: 849: 845: 841: 837: 830: 821: 814: 808: 799: 797: 777: 773: 766: 759: 753: 749: 743: 736: 730: 723: 717: 709: 705: 701: 697: 693: 689: 685: 681: 677: 673: 669: 662: 654: 650: 646: 640: 636: 635: 627: 623: 613: 610: 608: 605: 603: 600: 598: 595: 593: 590: 588: 585: 583: 580: 579: 575: 564: 557: 555: 551: 548:, and the UK 547: 543: 539: 535: 530: 526: 521: 519: 515: 511: 507: 506:Lionel Curtis 502: 500: 496: 492: 487: 477: 475: 471: 468:in 1932 that 467: 463: 459: 455: 451: 450:customs union 447: 443: 438: 434: 429: 427: 424: 421:and Canadian 420: 419:Alfred Deakin 416: 406: 404: 400: 396: 392: 391:Liberal Party 389:, a Scottish 388: 383: 381: 377: 373: 369: 365: 361: 357: 354:'s 1970 book 353: 348: 346: 342: 338: 334: 330: 326: 322: 318: 314: 310: 306: 296: 294: 290: 286: 282: 281:before 1869. 280: 279:San Francisco 276: 272: 268: 264: 260: 256: 250: 248: 244: 240: 236: 232: 228: 224: 220: 217: 212: 210: 199: 189: 178: 169: 167: 163: 159: 154: 152: 151:Alfred Milner 141: 139: 135: 131: 127: 123: 119: 115: 111: 107: 103: 99: 93: 91: 87: 83: 79: 74: 72: 68: 64: 60: 56: 52: 48: 44: 40: 36: 35:federal union 32: 23: 19: 1224: 1217: 1210: 1203: 1191: 1184: 1174: 1161:cite journal 1144: 1123:cite journal 1106: 1085:cite journal 1068: 1053: 1033:. 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Index


federal union
British Empire
Australia
Canada
New Zealand
Unionists
Joseph Chamberlain
William Gladstone
home rule
Ireland
Imperial Federation League
London
decolonisation
Britain
India
Newfoundland
South Africa
Cyprus
Gibraltar
Malta
Singapore
devolution
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Alfred Milner
dominions
West Indies
Fiji

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