The New Commonwealth (The Empire's Twilight)

The New Commonwealth is the term given to the alliance of nations that were once the British Empire.

Founding
Even before World War II there were those who knew that the British Empire would have to go through a radical reformation. Following the war there was a period of confusion and uncertainty about how the newly declared British Commonwealth would continue in the new world order. This was made worse by the situation between the United States and the Soviet Union.

An Empire of Equals
At a meeting held in Auckland, New Zealand in 1955 the first blueprint for what would be a new Commonwealth was put forward. It was entitled "The Empire of Equals" and proposed, among others, the following restructuring.
 * 1) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II remains the constitutional Head-of-State and whomever shall succeed her shall assume the role.
 * 2) A Commonwealth Council is to be set up to deal with all matters affecting the Commonwealth as a whole. Unless a member violates its commitments to the Commonwealth this council will have no direct legal power over any one member's internal politics.
 * 3) All member states have a right to govern their own people how they see fit.
 * 4) All member states have a duty to the protection of the rights of all their people. Failure to do so could result in expulsion from the Commonwealth. (This effectively ended Apartheid in South Africa and Rhodesia).
 * 5) All member states have a duty to the protection of the other members within the Commonwealth beit political, legal or militarily defence. Should any member wish to establish a defence treaty on its own with another nation outside the Commonwealth it must be approved by the Commonwealth Council.
 * 6) Economic ties to be strengthened between members to allow the Commonwealth to compete on the world market against the Soviet Union and the United States.
 * 7) All remaining 'Colonies' are to be granted self-governing rights and become equal members within the Commonwealth. (This effectively granted independance to the Falkland Islands and Hong Kong, the latter of which threatened Chinese retaliation).

Founding Members
Once the details had been ironed out the historic signing of the New Commonwealth Charter commenced on November 14th 1956 in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II at Buckhingham Palace, London. Among the founding members were;

It was hoped that India would sign but they refused. Instead they opted for mutual defence and economic treaties with the Commonwealth.
 * 1) Australia
 * 2) Bahamas
 * 3) Canada
 * 4) Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
 * 5) Falkland Island Territories
 * 6) Ghana
 * 7) Hong Kong
 * 8) Kenya
 * 9) Malaysia
 * 10) New Zealand
 * 11) Newfoundland
 * 12) Rhodesia
 * 13) Sierra Leone
 * 14) Union of South Africa
 * 15) United Kingdom of Great Britain

Later Members
The New Commonwealth proved an attractive prospect for many former clonies and many were eager to join especially as the New Commonwealth's power and influence increased during the 1960s and 1970s.
 * 1) Antugua & Bardua (1981)
 * 2) Bahamas (1973)
 * 3) Bangladesh (1972)
 * 4) Barbados (1966)
 * 5) Belize (1981)
 * 6) Botswana (1966)
 * 7) Brunei (1984)
 * 8) Cyprus (1961)
 * 9) Dominica (1978)
 * 10) Gambia (1965)
 * 11) Grenada (1974)
 * 12) Guyana (1966)
 * 13) Jamaica (1962)
 * 14) Kenya (1963)
 * 15) Kiribati (1979)
 * 16) Lesotho (1966)
 * 17) Malawi (1964)
 * 18) Maldives (1982)
 * 19) Malta (1964)
 * 20) Mauritius (1968)
 * 21) Namibia (1990)
 * 22) Nauru (1968)
 * 23) Nigeria (1960)
 * 24) Papua New Guinea (1975)
 * 25) Saint Kitts and Nevis (1983)
 * 26) Saint Vincent and Grenadines (1979)
 * 27) Samoa (1978)
 * 28) Tanzania (1968)
 * 29) Tonga (1970)
 * 30) Trinidad and Tobago (1962)
 * 31) Tuvalu (1978)
 * 32) Uganda (1962)
 * 33) Vanuatu (1980)
 * 34) Zambia (1964)