A: A landmark British law that granted legislative independence to the self-governing Dominions within the British Empire (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Irish Free State, and Newfoundland).
Q: How did the Statute of Westminster change the relationship between Britain and its Dominions?
A: It removed the following powers Britain previously held over Dominions:
● The ability to veto laws passed by Dominion parliaments.
● The automatic inclusion of Dominions in British foreign policy decisions, including war.
Q: What happened before the Statute of Westminster?
A:1865 Colonial Laws Validity Act: This law gave Britain strong control over colonial legislation and foreign policy.
1926 Imperial Conference: Defined Dominions as equal in status to Britain within the British Commonwealth of Nations.
Q: Why was India excluded from the Statute of Westminster?
A: Several factors played a role:
● India's active and diverse independence movement.
● India's rejection of Dominion status, desiring complete independence.
● Britain's strategic and economic interests in India:
► India housed a large portion of the British army and funded its presence.
► India enjoyed fewer commercial concessions than other colonies.
Q: How did Britain's interests in India prevent its inclusion in the Statute of Westminster?
A: Granting India similar legislative independence would jeopardize Britain's military and economic control over the country, something Britain was unwilling to concede.
Q: What was the Montagu Declaration?
A: A 1917 statement by Edwin Montagu (Secretary of State for India) outlining a vague pathway for India towards self-government. This policy was purposefully ambiguous to appease both pro-independence and pro-British voices within India.
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