История территориальной эволюции Британской империи

Changes in the extent of the British Empire over its history

The territorial evolution of the British Empire is considered to have begun with the foundation of the English colonial empire in the late 16th century. Since then, many territories around the world have been under the control of the United Kingdom or its predecessor states. When the Kingdom of Great Britain was formed in 1707 by the union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England, the latter country's colonial possessions passed to the new state. Similarly, when Great Britain was united with the Kingdom of Ireland in 1801 to form the United Kingdom, control over its colonial possessions passed to the latter state. Collectively, these territories are referred to as the British Empire. When much of Ireland gained independence in 1922 as the Irish Free State, the other territories of the empire remained under the control of the United Kingdom. From 1714 to 1837, the British throne was held by a series of kings who were also the rulers of the German state of Hanover. 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. The nature of the territories (and peoples) ruled as part of the British Empire varied enormously. In legal terms the territories included those formally under the sovereignty of the British monarch (who held the additional title of Emperor/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. No uniform system of government was applied to any of these. Several countries (dominions) within the British Empire gained independence in stages during the earlier part of the 20th century. 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 the People's Republic of China in 1997. There remain, however, fourteen territories around the world known as the British Overseas Territories which remain under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United Kingdom. Many of the former territories of the British Empire are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Fourteen of these (known, with the United Kingdom, as the 15 Commonwealth realms) retain the British monarch (currently Charles III) as head of state. 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. From the 16th to the 20th centuries, the British Empire stretched from a total area at its peak in 1920 to over , the largest empire in the world. In terms of population, on the eve of World War II, Britain and her colonial possessions totaled 500 million inhabitants. The British Empire had an enormous impact on world history. The United Kingdom had about 120 colonies throughout its history, the most colonies in the world, the French colonial empire came second, which had about 80 colonies. Around 54 countries gained independence from the United Kingdom throughout its history, the most in the world, ahead of the French colonial empire, which 40 countries gained independence from France.

The British Empire refers to the possessions, dominions, and dependencies under the control of the Crown. In addition to the areas formally under the sovereignty of the British monarch, various "foreign" territories were 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 condominium of Anglo Egyptian Sudan. 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. Crown colonies were ruled by a governor appointed by the monarch. By the middle of the 19th century, the sovereign appointed royal governors on the advice of the Secretary of State for the Colonies. This became the main method of creating and governing colonies. Most Crown colonies, especially the white settler colonies had a bicameral legislature, consisting of an upper house usually called the Legislative council, which members were appointed and served a similar purpose as the British House of Lords. There also existed lower houses which were usually named the Legislative Assembly or House of Assembly. The lower house was usually elected, but suffrage was restricted to free white men only, usually with property ownership restrictions. Since land ownership was widespread, most white men could vote. The governor also often had an Executive Council which had a similar function to the Cabinet in England but was not responsible to the colonial lower house. They held a consultative position, however, and did not serve in administrative offices as cabinet ministers do. Members of the Executive Council were not necessarily members of the lower house but were usually members of the upper house. 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.

Charter colony is one of the three classes of colonial government established in the 17th century English colonies in North America. In a charter colony, the King granted a royal charter to the colonial government establishing the rules under which the colony was to be governed and charter colonies elected their own governors based on rules spelled out in the charter or other colonial legislation.

A number of colonies in the 16th and 17th centuries were granted to a particular individual; these were known as proprietary colonies. Proprietary colonies in America were governed by a Lord Proprietor, who, holding authority by virtue of a royal charter, usually exercised that authority almost as an independent sovereign. Eventually these were converted to Crown colonies.

A chartered company is an association formed by investors or shareholders for the purpose of trade, exploration and colonization. Chartered companies were usually formed, incorporated and legitimized under a royal charter. This document set out the terms under which the company could trade, defined its boundaries of influence, and described its rights and responsibilities. Groups of investors formed companies to underwrite and profit from the exploration of Africa, India, Asia, the Caribbean and North America, under the patronage of the state. Some companies like the East India Company (the most famous), the Hudson's Bay Company, and the Royal African Company ruled large colonial possessions (especially in India), but the Hudson's Bay Company took control of the Hudson Bay drainage basin in Canada as Rupert's Land, and the Royal African Company started to ship slaves from West Africa to the Americas in the Atlantic slave trade.

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. A protectorate differs from a "protected state". A protected state is a territory under a foreign ruler which enjoys British protection, over whose foreign affairs she exercises control, but in respect of whose internal affairs she does not exercise jurisdiction.

Dominions were semi independent polities that were nominally under the Crown, constituting the British Empire and British Commonwealth, beginning in the later part of the 19th century. 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. The Balfour Declaration of 1926 clarified the status of the dominions, recognizing them as "autonomous Communities within the British Empire, equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs, though united by a common allegiance to the Crown, and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations." The Statute of Westminster 1931 converted this status into legal reality, making them essentially independent members of what was then called the British Commonwealth. Initially, the Dominions conducted their own trade policy, some limited foreign relations, and had autonomous armed forces, although the British government claimed and exercised the exclusive power to declare wars. However, after the passage of the Statute of Westminster, the language of dependency on the Crown of the United Kingdom ceased, and the Crown itself was no longer referred to as the Crown of any place in particular but simply as "the Crown". Arthur Berriedale Keith, in Speeches and Documents on the British Dominions 1918–1931, stated that "the Dominions are sovereign international States in the sense that the King in respect of each of His Dominions (Newfoundland excepted) is such a State in the eyes of international law". 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.

Mandates were forms of territory created after the end of the First World War. 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). These territories were governed on behalf of the League of Nations for the benefit of their inhabitants. Most converted to United Nations Trust Territories in 1946.

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 princes, under the suzerainty of the British Crown exercised through the Viceroy and Governor General of India.

Name of territoryDatesStatusCommentsAshanti1901–1957ColonyBecame a part of the dominion of GhanaBasutoland1868ProtectorateWanted to join the Cape Colony, but was authorized to join the Colony of Natal instead. Eventually was placed under direct authority of the High Commissioner for South Africa.1871Annexed to Cape Colony1884Colony1965Self governing colony1966Independent as LesothoBechuanaland Protectorate1884–1965ProtectorateResident Commissioner assigned 1884, but Protectorate status declared after treaties with several chiefs were signed in 18851965–66Self governing protectorate1966Independent as BotswanaBight of Benin1852–1861Protectorate1861United with Bight of BiafraBight of Biafra1849–1861Protectorate1861United with Bight of BeninBights of Biafra and Benin1861–1891ProtectorateBritish Bechuanaland(see also under "Bechuanaland")1885–1895Crown colony1895Incorporated into Cape ColonyNow a part of the Northern Cape and North West provinces of South AfricaBritish Cameroons1916–1919Occupation1919–1946League of Nations mandated territory1946–1961United Nations Trust Territory1961Northern part merged into Nigeria, southern part into the Republic of CameroonBritish East Africa1888–1895Territory leased to the Imperial British East Africa Company (IBEAC) by the Sultan of Zanzibar1895–1920ProtectorateTerritory included former IBEAC territories and the strip of Sultan of Zanizbar's dominions on the coast of Kenya which fell within the British sphere of influence1920Became the Colony and Protectorate of KenyaLands of Sultan of Zanzibar on coast administered with the Colony as one unitBritish Somaliland1884–1960Protectorate1960Independent as State of SomalilandAfter 5 days merged with the Trust Territory of Somaliland as Somali Republic, in 1991 independent as Somaliland (unrecognised)Cape Colony1806–1910ColonyBecame a province of the Union of South Africa as the "Cape of Good Hope"Egypt1801–03Occupation1882–1914Occupation1914–1922Protectorate1922IndependenceBioko1827–1855Leased territoryIsland leased from Spain so that Royal Navy could undertake anti slavery operations on West Coast of Africa. Main settlement was Port Clarence now known as MalaboGambia Colony and Protectorate1816–1965ColonyProtectorate declared over hinterland of Gambia River in 18941965IndependenceGold Coast1874–1957Colony1957Independent as GhanaAlso incorporated British Togoland by plebisciteKenya, Colony & Protectorate of1920–1963ColonyPreviously part of British East Africa1963IndependenceLagos Protectorate1887–1906Protectorate, governed from the Lagos Colony1906Incorporated into the Protectorate of Southern NigeriaSouthern Nigeria Protectorate1900–1906Protectorate, created from Niger Coast Protectorate and territories of the Royal Niger Company1906Incorporated the Lagos Colony to be the Colony and Protectorate of Southern NigeriaLibya, regions of Cyrenicia & Tripolitania only1942–1946British Military administration in Cyrenicia & Tripolitania1946–1951Italian forces expelled, UN trusteeship of Cyrenicia & Tripolitania, administered by BritainFezzan region administered by France under trusteeship1951Independent as the Kingdom of LibyaNatal1843–1910Colony1910Became a province of the Union of South AfricaNow part of the province of KwaZulu Natal, South AfricaNiger Districts1885–1899Protectorate under the Royal Niger Company1900Became part of Northern NigeriaColony and Protectorate of Nigeria1914–1954Created from the Colony & Protectorate of Southern Nigeria and the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria1954Became the self governing Federation of NigeriaFederation of Nigeria1954–1960Autonomous federationFormed from the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria1960IndependenceNorthern Nigeria1900–1914Protectorate governed by the Colony of Southern Nigeria1914Merged with Protectorate of Southern Nigeria to form the Colony and Protectorate of NigeriaNorthern Territories of the Gold Coast1901–1957ProtectorateAnnexed to form part of Her Majesty's dominions as part of the dominion of GhanaNyasalandknown as the Nyasaland Districts until 1893, and then British Central Africa until 19071891–1964Protectorate1964Independent as MalawiOrange River Colony1900–1910Colony1907Granted responsible government1910Became the Province of the Orange Free State in the Union of South AfricaRhodesia1964 1965Now ZimbabweMatabeleland1888–1894Protectorate under British South Africa Company (BSAC)1894United with Mashonaland as South Zambezia in 1894Mashonaland1889–1894Protectorate under BSAC1894United with Matabeleland as South Zambezia in 1894South Zambezia1894–95Protectorate under BSAC1895United with North Zambezia as RhodesiaRhodesia1895–1901Protectorate under BSAC1901Mashonaland and Matabeleland united as Southern RhodesiaNorthern Rhodesia1911–1924Protectorate under BSACAmalgamation of Barotziland North Western Rhodesia and North Eastern Rhodesia1924–1953Protectorate1953–1963Part of Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland1964Independent as ZambiaSouthern Rhodesia1901–1923Protectorate under BSAC1923—1953Self governing colony1953–1963Part of Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland1964–65Self governing colonyRhodesia1965–1970Unilateral declaration of independence, with Elizabeth II as head of stateNot internationally recognised1970–1979RepublicNot internationally recognisedZimbabwe Rhodesia1979Interim state1979–80Crown colony1980Independent as ZimbabweSierra Leone Colony and Protectorate1787–1808Freed slave colony organised by Sierra Leone Company1808–1821Crown colony1821–1850Part of British West African Settlements1850–1866Crown colony1866–1888Part of British West African Settlements1888–1895Colony1896–1961Colony and protectorate1961IndependenceSouth Africa, Union of1910–1961DominionFormed by the federation of the Cape, Natal, Orange River, and Transvaal colonies1961RepublicNot a member of the Commonwealth between 1961 and 1994Sudan, Anglo Egyptian1899–1952Condominium with Egypt1952–1956Self rule1956Independent as Republic of SudanSwaziland1902–67Protectorate1967–68Protected State1968IndependenceTangier1661Ceded to England by Portugal1684Abandoned by EnglandTangier International Zone1924Established as condominium between UK, France and Spain (later also Portugal, US, Italy, Belgium, Sweden and the Netherlands)1940–1945Spanish occupation1956Zone dissolved, Tangier returned to MoroccoGerman East Africa1916–1922OccupationTanganyika Territory1922–1946League of Nations mandated territory1946–1961United Nations Trust Territory under Britain1961IndependenceMerged with Zanzibar in 1964 to form TanzaniaTati Concessions Land1872–1893Concession1893Detached from Matabeleland1893–1911Under protectorate of Bechuanaland1911Annexed to BechuanalandBritish Togoland1914–1916OccupationWestern half of erstwhile German Togoland occupied by both British and French forces 1914–161916–1922Administered by British only1922–1946League of Nations Mandate under Britain1946–1957United Nations Trust Territory under Britain1957IndependenceMerged with Ghana upon independence after plebiscite(French) Togoland1914–16occupationEastern half of erstwhile German Togoland occupied by both British and French forces, then after 1916 administered by France only. In 1922, became LoN Mandate, then UN Trust Territory in 1946, also under France. Now the Republic of Togo since independence in 1960. Transvaal1877–1884Colony1884–1900Independent as South African Republic1900–1906Colony1906–1910Self governing colony1910Part of Union of South AfricaNow divided between the provinces of Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West in South AfricaUganda1890–1893Occupied by British East Africa Company1893–94Provisional protectorate1894–1962Protectorate1962Self government1962IndependenceWalvis Bay1795–1878Occupation1878–1884Protectorate1884Part of Cape ColonyNow part of NamibiaZanzibar1890–1963Protectorate1963IndependenceMerged with Tanganyika in 1964 to form TanzaniaZululand1887–1897Crown colony1897Incorporation into Colony of NatalNow part of the province of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Name of territoryDatesStatusCommentsAnguilla1650–1696Colony under St. Christopher1696–1816Part of colony of Leeward Islands1816–1832Part of colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands1832–1871Part of colony of Leeward Islands as colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands1871–1882Part of the presidency of Saint Christopher (within the Leeward Islands)1882–1956Part of the presidency of Saint Christopher and Nevis (within the Leeward Islands)1956–1967Part of Saint Christopher Nevis Anguilla1967–1969Unilateral declaration of independence as Republic of Anguilla1969–1980Part of Saint Christopher Nevis Anguilla1980–1982Self governing colony1983–2002Dependent territory2002–presentBritish Overseas TerritoryAntigua(incl. Barbuda from 1860)1632–1671Colony1671–72Part of colony of Leeward Islands1672–1816Part of colony of Leeward Islands1816–1832Part of colony of Antigua Barbuda Montserrat1832–33Colony1833–1871Part of colony of Leeward Islands1871–1956Presidency within the Leeward Islands1956–1958Colony1958–1962Province of West Indies Federation1962–1967Colony1967–1981Associated state1981Independent as Antigua and BarbudaAntigua Barbuda Montserrat1816–1832Colony1832DissolvedBahamas1670–1684Proprietary colony1684Occupied by Spain1718–1964Crown colony1964–1969Self government1969–1973Commonwealth1973IndependenceBarbados1624–1627Claimed by England1627–1652Proprietary colony1652–1663Colony1663–1833Crown colony1833–1885Part of colony of Windward Islands1885–1958Colony1958–1962Province of West Indies Federation1962–1966Colony1966IndependenceBarbuda1628–1832Colony1632–1671Dependency of Antigua1671–1816Part of colony of Leeward Islands1816–1832Part of colony of Antigua Barbuda Montserrat1832–33Colony1833–1860Part of colony of Leeward Islands1860Annexed to Antigua1976–1980Autonomous1980Unilateral declaration of independence–1981Independence as part of Antigua and BarbudaBay Islands1643–early 18th centurySporadic, short lived settlements1742–1748Colony of Port Royal (Roatan). Spanish sovereignty recognized in 17481749–1782Illegal but well established English settlements. Spanish occupation and expulsion of settlers in 17821852–1860Colony of the Bay Islands. Surrendered to Honduras in 1860Belize – see under "British Honduras"British Honduras1665–1742Settlement1742–1840Settlement subordinated to Jamaica1840–1862Colony subordinated to Jamaica1862–1884Crown colony subordinated to Jamaica1884–1954Crown colony1954–1964Autonomy1964–1981Self governing colony1973Renamed "Belize"1981IndependenceBritish Virgin Islands1666–1672Occupation1672–1713Part of colony of Leeward Islands as part of Antigua1713–1816Crown colony part of colony of Leeward Islands1816–1832Part of colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands1832–1871Part of colony of Leeward Islands as colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands1871–1956Presidency within the Leeward Islands1956–1960Part of territory of Leeward Islands1960–1967Colony1967–1982Self governing colony1983–2002Dependent territory2002–presentBritish Overseas TerritoryCayman Islands1670–1958Colony; administered from Jamaica1958–1962Province of West Indies Federation1962–1982Crown colony1983–2002Dependent territory2002–presentBritish Overseas TerritoryDominica1763–1778Occupation1778Ceded to France1784–1871Colony1871–1939Presidency within the Leeward Islands1940–1958Colony within the Windward Islands1958–1962Province of West Indies Federation1962–1967Colony1967–1978Associated state1978IndependenceGrenada1762–63Occupation1763–1779Part of colony of South Caribbean Islands1779Occupied by France1783–1802Part of colony of South Caribbean Islands1802–1833Colony1833–1958Part of Windward Islands1958–1962Province of West Indies Federation1962–1967Colony1967–1974Associated state1974IndependenceOld Providence1628–1630Initial settlement by English colonists1630–1641Chartered colony under the Providence Island Company1641Captured by Spain, became part of New GranadaJamaica1655–1670Occupation1670–1953Colony1953–1958Self governing colony1958–1962Province of West Indies Federation1962IndependenceLeeward Islands1671–1816Colony1833–1871Colony1871–1956Federal colonyComprised the presidencies of Antigua (incl. Barbuda), Dominica (to 1939), Montserrat, Nevis, Saint Kitts (incl. Anguilla, and combined with Nevis in 1883), and the Virgin Islands1956–1960Territory1960DissolvedMontserrat1632–1667Colony part of Antigua1667Occupied by France1668–1782Part of colony of Leeward Islands1784–1816Part of colony of Leeward Islands1816–1832Part of colony of Antigua Barbuda Montserrat1832–33Colony part of Antigua1833–1871Part of colony of Leeward Islands1871–1956Presidency within the Leeward Islands1956–1958Colony1958–1962Province of West Indies Federation1962–1982Colony1983–2002Dependent territory2002–presentBritish Overseas TerritoryMosquito Coast1668–1786Protectorate1787–1861Protectorate1861Incorporated into Nicaragua and HondurasNevis1628–1671Colony subordinated to Barbados1671–1701Part of colony of Leeward Islands1701–1704Part of colony of Leeward Islands under Antigua1704–1816Part of colony of Leeward Islands1816–1833Part of colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands1833–1871Part of Leeward Islands as colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands1871–1883Presidency within the Leeward Islands1883Amalgamated with Saint Kitts to form the presidency of Saint Christopher and Nevis (within the Leeward Islands)Redonda1860s–1967British possession1967Dependency of AntiguaSt. Christopher(Saint Kitts)1623–1666Colony1666Occupied by France1671–1701Part of colony of Leeward Islands1701–1704Part of colony of Leeward Islands under Antigua1704–1782Part of colony of Leeward Islands1782Occupied by France1783–1816Part of colony of Leeward Islands1816–1833Part of colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands1833–1871Part of Leeward Islands as colony of St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands1871–1882Part of colony of Leeward Islands1882Amalgamated with Nevis to form the presidency of Saint Christopher Nevis (within the Leeward Islands)St. Christopher and Nevis1882–1958Presidency within the Leeward Islands1958–1962Part of province of Saint Christopher Nevis Anguilla of West Indies Federation1962–1967Part of colony of Saint Christopher Nevis Anguilla1967–1980Part of associated state of Saint Christopher Nevis Anguilla1980–1983Associated state1983Independence :±:St. John1801–02Occupation1807–1815OccupationNow part of the United States Virgin IslandsSt. Lucia1605–1640Settlement1640Abandoned1664–1667Occupation1762–63Occupation1781–1783Occupation1794–95Occupation1796–1802Occupation1803–1838Colony1838–1958Crown colony part of colony of Windward Islands1958–1962Province of West Indies Federation1962–1967Crown colony1967–1979Associated state1979IndependenceSaint Martin1690–1699Occupation1801–02OccupationSt. Thomas1801–02Occupation1807–1815OccupationNow part of the United States Virgin IslandsSt. Vincent and the Grenadines1627–1636Claimed1672Claimed1762–63Occupation1763–1776Colony1776–1779Crown colony1779Occupied by France1783–1833Crown colony1833–1958Part of colony of Windward Islands1958–1962Province of West Indies Federation1962–1969Colony1969–1979Associated state1979IndependenceSouth Caribbean Islands1763–1802Colony1802DissolvedIncluded the present day countries of Dominica, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the island of TobagoTobago1762–1764Part of colony of Windward Islands1764–1781Colony1781Colony of France1793–1802Occupation1802Colony of France1803–1833Crown colony1833–1888Part of colony of Windward Islands1889Amalgamated with TrinidadTortuga1631–1635Colony1635French possessionNow part of HaitiTrinidad1802–1888Colony1889Amalgamated with Tobago as "Trinidad and Tobago"Trinidad and Tobago1889–1958Colony1958–1962Province of West Indies Federation1962IndependenceTurks and Caicos Islands1799–1848Colony part of Bahamas1848–1874Colony1874–1959Colony part of Jamaica1959–1962Province of West Indies Federation1962–1982Colony1983–2002Dependent territory2002–presentBritish Overseas TerritoryVirgin Islands – see under "British Virgin Islands"West Indies Federation1958–1962Federation of colonies1962DissolutionIncluded the present day countries of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados; Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago, and the British Overseas Territories of Anguilla, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and Turks and Caicos IslandsWindward Islands1833–1956Colony1956–1960Territory1960DissolutionIncluded the present day countries of Barbados (to 1885), Grenada, Dominica (from 1940), St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and (until 1889) the island of Tobago

Name of territoryDatesStatusCommentsAden1839Colony subordinate to Bombay Presidency British India1932Separate province of British India1937Separate Crown colony1963Part of Federation of South ArabiaAfghanistan1879Protected state1919IndependenceAssam1874–1905Province of British India1905–1912Incorporated into the new province of Eastern Bengal and Assam1912–1947Province of British IndiaNow a state of the Republic of IndiaBahrain1880Protectorate1961–1971Autonomous1971IndependenceInvited to join the Trucial States, but declinedBaluchistan1877–1896Province1896–1947Province of British India1947Part of PakistanNow part of Balochistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, in PakistanBantam1603–1609Station1609–1617Factory1617–1621Presidency1621Expelled by the Dutch1630–1634Subordinated to Surat1634–1652Presidency1652–1682Subordinated to Surat1682Expelled by the DutchNow in IndonesiaBencoolen("Fort York", later "Fort Marlborough")1685–1760Coastal settlements of southwestern Sumatra, subordinated to Madras1760–1785Presidency1785–1825Subordinated to Bengal Presidency1825Part of Dutch East IndiesNow Bengkulu, in IndonesiaBengal("Fort William")1634–1658Factories1658–1681Subordinated to Madras1681–82Agency1682–1694Presidency of Coromandel and Bengal Settlements1694–1698Subordinated to Madras1698–1700Presidency of Coromandel and Bengal Settlements1700–1774Presidency1774–1905Presidency of British India1905–1912Partitioned between [West] Bengal and Eastern Bengal and Assam1912–1937Presidency of British India1937–1947Province of British India1947Divided between India (West Bengal) and Pakistan (East Bengal)Now Bangladesh, and part of West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand, in IndiaBrunei1888Protectorate1967Protected state1984IndependenceBurma (now called Myanmar)1824–1852Arakan, Tenasserim1852–1886Lower Burma1885–1886Upper Burma1886Lower and Upper Burma United as province of British India1937Separate Crown Colony1948IndependenceName changed to Myanmar after a military junta in 1989. Eastern Bengal and Assam1905–1912Province of British IndiaEstablished upon the partition of Bengal (1905)1912Partition reversedSplit between the re established province of Assam and the re constituted presidency of BengalCeylon1795Ceded by the Dutch and subordinated to the Madras presidency of British India1798Separate Crown colony1948IndependenceNow the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri LankaDansborg1801–02Occupied1808–1815Occupied1845purchased and incorporated into British IndiaNow in Tamil Nadu state, IndiaFrederiksnagore1801–02Occupied1808–1815Occupied1845Purchased and incorporated into British IndiaNow in West Bengal state, IndiaHong Kong1841Hong Kong Island occupied1843–1982Crown colony1860Kowloon and Stonecutters Island ceded by China1898New Territories leased from China for 99 years1942–1945Occupied by Japan1945–1946Military administration1983–1997Dependent territory1997Handover to China as a special administrative regionKuwait1899Protectorate1961IndependenceIndian Empire (British Raj)1613Company rule in India1858Crown rule over the Indian Princely states, the Presidencies and provinces of British India1947Independent as India & Pakistan after partitionMandatory Iraq1920–1932League of Nations mandate never passed, replaced by Anglo Iraqi treaty with the Kingdom of IraqJava and the Spice Islands1811–1816Occupiedrestored to the NetherlandsMalaya1824Transferred following Anglo Dutch Treaty of 18241824–1867Territory of British East India Company1867–1946Straits Settlements, Crown colony1895–1946Federated Malay States, protectorate1885–1946Johor, protectorate (part of Unfederated Malay States)1909–1946Kedah, protectorate (part of Unfederated Malay States)1909–1946Kelantan, protectorate (part of Unfederated Malay States)1909–1946Perlis, protectorate (part of Unfederated Malay States)1909–1946Terengganu, protectorate (part of Unfederated Malay States)1942–1945Japanese occupation1945–1946Military Administration1946–1948Malayan Union1948–1957Federation of Malaya1957–1963Independent state1963Annex North Borneo and Sarawak forming the renamed federation of MalaysiaNorth Borneo1882–1946Protectorate1945–1946Military administrationLabuan to British N. Borneo on 15 July 19461946–1963Crown colonyLabuan to British N. Borneo on 15 July 19461963Self government1963Annexed by Malaya into MalaysiaPalestine1920Mandate1948British mandate dissolved; proposed partition plans never materialized; Israel established immediately after British withdrawal, with the short lived All Palestine government following six months later, and later the partially recognised State of Palestineongoing territorial dispute, see Israeli–Palestinian conflictPulo Condore Island (Côn Đảo)1702Possession of British East India Company1705AbandonedNow Côn Đảo, in VietnamSarawak1888–1946Protected States1945–1946Military administration1946–1963Crown colony1963Self government1963Annexed by Malaya into MalaysiaStraits Settlements1826–1858Possession under British East India CompanyNow divided between Malacca and Penang, in Malaysia, and Singapore1858–1867Subordinated to British India1867–1946Crown colony1942–1945Occupied by Japan1946DissolvedQatar1916–1971Protectorate1971IndependenceInvited to join the Trucial States, but declinedSurat1612–1658Factory1658–1668Presidency1668–1685Possession under British East India Company1685–1703Subordinated to Bombay1703Incorporated into BombayNow in IndiaSingapore1824Purchased1824Part of Straits Settlements (as residency of the Presidency of Bengal)1867–1946Part of Straits Settlements (crown colony)1946–1955Crown colony1955–1959self governing colony1959–1963State of Singapore1963–1965Part of Malaysia1965IndependenceTransjordan1920Part of Palestine MandateNow known as Jordan1923Formally separated from Palestine1928Emirate independent, except military and finance control1946Formal independence as the Hashemite Kingdom of JordanTrucial States1892Protectorate1971Formation of Federation of Arab EmiratesNow part of the United Arab EmiratesWeihaiwei1898–1930Leased from China1930Returned to the Republic of ChinaNow part of the People's Republic of ChinaWest Bengal("Bengal")1905–1912Province of British IndiaEstablished by the partition of Bengal. Abolished with the reversal of the partition and the creation of the new province of Bihar and Orissa.

Name of territoryDatesStatusCommentsAkrotiri and Dhekelia1960–presentSovereign Base AreasAlderney1198–1204Lordship1204Fiefdom1205Fiefdom1206–1279Fiefdom1279Briefly occupied by France1279–1660Part of bailiwick of Guernsey1660–1825Seigneurie1825Subordinated to Guernsey1940–1945Occupied by Germany1945Restored to BritainCyprus1878Administration while nominally remaining part of the Ottoman Empire1914Annexation1925Crown colony1960IndependenceTwo sovereign base areas remain under British sovereignty; see under "Akrotiri and Dhekelia"Dunkirk1658–1662Town and surrounding hinterland1662Incorporated into FranceEngland927Kingdom formed1282Conquest of principality of Gwynedd (last remaining independent Welsh principality) 1536Annexation of Principality of Wales and Marcher Lordships into England1603Personal union with Scotland1649Republic as the Commonwealth of England. Scotland and Ireland united with England1660End of Republic. Scotland independent again but in personal union with England1707Political union with Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain Treaty of Union 1706 and Acts of Union 1707Gibraltar1704Captured by Britain1713ColonyCeded by Spain Treaty of Utrecht 17131983Dependent territory2002–presentBritish Overseas Territory Sovereignty claimed by SpainGreat Britain, Kingdom of1707Formed by union of the kingdoms of England and Scotland1801Union of Great Britain with Ireland to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and IrelandGuernsey(incl. islands of Brecqhou, Herm, Jethou, Lihou, and Sark)1198–1204Lordship1204–1205Fiefdom1206–1279Fiefdom1279–1940Bailiwick1940–1945Occupied by Germany1945–presentBailiwickHeligoland1807–1814Occupied1814–1890Colony1890Incorporated into Germany1945–1952OccupiedUnited States of the Ionian Islands1809–1815Occupied1815–1864United States of Ionian Islands, under British protection1864Incorporated into GreeceIreland1172LordshipPapal Bull Laudabiliter 11551541Kingdom subordinated to the English (later British) Crown1801Merged with Great Britain to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and IrelandAct of Union 1800Irish Free State1922Independence from the United KingdomAnglo Irish Treaty 19211949Declared a RepublicIsle of Man1266–1290Fiefdom under Scotland1313–1317Fiefdom under Scotland1328–1333Fiefdom under Scotland1333–1504Fiefdom1504–1594Lordship1594–1610Direct Crown rule1610–1649Lordship1649–1660Commonwealth and protectorate1660–1765Lordship1765–1827Possession1827–presentCrown dependencyJersey1204Fiefdom subordinated to Guernsey1204–1205Fiefdom subordinated to Guernsey1206–1279Fiefdom subordinated to Guernsey1279–1380Bailiwick subordinated to Guernsey1382–1461Bailiwick subordinated to Guernsey1468–1487Bailiwick subordinated to Guernsey1487–1940Bailiwick1940–1945Occupied by Germany1945–presentBailiwickMalta1800–1813Protectorate1813–1921Crown colony1921–1933Self governing colony1933–1947Crown colony1947–1958Self governing colony1958–1961Crown colony1961–1964Self governing colony1964IndependenceMenorca1708–1713Occupied1713Ceded to Britain1714–1756Colony1756Occupied by France1798–1802Colony1802Restored to SpainRockall1955Annexed as the latest territorial addition to the United Kingdom.1972Made part of Scotland under Island of Rockall Act 1972. Sicily1806–1815Protectorate1816creation of the Kingdom of the Two SiciliesScotland1603Personal union with England1649United with England and Ireland as the Commonwealth of England. 1660Independent again but in personal union with England1707Political union with England to form the Kingdom of Great Britain Treaty of Union 1706 and Acts of Union 1707United Kingdom1801Formed by the union of the kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland1922Secession of the Irish Free State1927Formal name changed from "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland" to "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland"Wales (Cymru)1282Occupied1535Annexed into England by Act of English Parliament1999Devolved National Assembly established (renamed to Senedd (Parliament) in 2020)

This is a listing of the more important treaties, Acts of Parliament, and other legal instruments and events affecting the nature and territorial extent of the British Empire. Effective dateName of treaty, etc. Territorial effect1536/1543Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542Wales annexed to the Kingdom of England1606First Virginia CharterGranted the Virginia Company the right to colonize the modern day East Coast of the United States, with the London Company establishing the Colony of Virginia at Jamestown and the Plymouth Company receiving the right to colonize what would become New England1613–1753Covenant ChainSeries of treaties and alliances between Native American tribes such as the Iroquois Confederacy and British America 1621Mayflower CompactEstablished the legal and constitutional system of the Plymouth Colony1628Charter of the Massachusetts Bay CompanyEstablished the Massachusetts Bay Company to colonize the region1639Fundamental Orders of ConnecticutEstablished English towns in the Connecticut River Valley as the Connecticut Colony1651–1696Navigation ActsRegulated trade between England (and later Great Britain) and its overseas colonies through mercantilist policies, prohibiting them each from importing certain commodities to countries outside the British Empire and from producing certain products imported by the other1663Rhode Island Royal CharterGranted legal recognition to the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations1664Articles of Surrender of New NetherlandAnnexed the Dutch colony of New Netherland to England as the Province of New York 16521652 Articles of Peace and FriendshipCeded Susquehannock land at the mouth of the Susquehanna River to white settlers from the Province of Maryland1682Frame of Government of PennsylvaniaEstablished political and constitutional system of Province of Pennsylvania1669Fundamental Constitutions of CarolinaEstablished political and constitutional system of Province of Carolina 1691Massachusetts CharterEstablished the Massachusetts Bay Colony1701Nanfan TreatyGranted British recognition of Iroquois control of land seized in Beaver Wars 1707Acts of Union 1707Scotland and England unite as the Kingdom of Great Britain1713Treaty of UtrechtSpain cedes Gibraltar to Britain. France cedes Newfoundland, Hudson Bay and Acadie to Britain.1749–1764New Hampshire GrantsAllowed for colonization in what would become Vermont1758Treaty of EastonReturned Ohio Country to undisputed Native American control in exchange for assistance in French and Indian War 1763Treaty of ParisFrance cedes all its territories in America to Britain except Saint Pierre and Miquelon Islands.1763Royal Proclamation of 1763Established trans Appalachia as an "Indian Reserve" and prohibited white colonization west of the Appalachian Mountains 1765 Stamp ActIssued direct tax on stamped paper in British America, led to the beginning of the American Revolution due to opposition to "taxation without representation"1766 Declaratory ActRepealed the stamp tax but declared that the Parliament of Great Britain virtually represented colonies and could pass legally biding legislation and taxes on their behalf1767–1768Townshend ActsSeries of legislation introducing taxes on British America1768Treaty of Fort StanwixEstablished Line of Property dividing the Indian Reserve from the Thirteen Colonies, as well as adding modern day Kentucky and West Virginia to it1773Regulating Act of 1773Reformed Company rule in India1774Intolerable ActsSeries of laws to punish the Thirteen Colonies for the Boston Tea Party protest during the American Revolution, major cause of the American Revolutionary War1776Declaration of Independence of the United StatesThe Thirteen Colonies (New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia) assert independence1783Second Treaty of ParisGreat Britain formally recognises the independence of the United States. End of the American Revolution.1784 Pitt's India ActEstablished Crown political control over Company rule in India 1788New South Wales is established by settlement as a penal colony1791Constitution ActThe Province of Quebec is divided in two sections Upper Canada (now Ontario) and Lower Canada (now Quebec).1801Act of Union 1800Ireland unites with Great Britain to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland1813 Charter Act of 1813Renewed the British East India Company's royal charter but discontinued its commercial monopoly over India with the exception of tea, opium, and trade with China1814Third Treaty of ParisFrance cedes the Seychelles to Britain and Malta officially becomes a colony1835 Declaration of the Independence of New ZealandAsserted the sovereign independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand1840Treaty of WaitangiNew Zealand becomes a British colony1850Australian Constitutions Act 1850Separated Port Phillip District from Colony of New South Wales to form the Colony of Victoria, and provided for similar processes to occur in Van Diemen's Land and South Australia 1852New Zealand Constitution Act 1852Granted responsible government to the Colony of New Zealand1858 Government of India Act 1858Ended Company rule in India by transferring political authority over the presidencies and provinces of British India from the British East India Company directly to the British Crown, creating the British Raj 1865Colonial Laws Validity Act 1865Allowed all colonial legislation to have full effect in the colonies as long as it did not interfere with Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom extending to the colony, preventing colonial statutes from being judicially overruled under English law 1867British North America Act 1867 (known in Canada as the Constitution Act, 1867)The Province of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia federate as Canada1870Rupert's Land and the North Western Territory are annexed to Canada1871British Columbia becomes a province of Canada1876Proclamation under the Royal Titles Act 1876Queen Victoria adopts the title "Empress of India"1899Joint British Egyptian condominium established over Sudan1901Proclamation under the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (1900)The Commonwealth of Australia is formed by the federation of the colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania1910Proclamation under the South Africa Act 1909Union of South Africa formed by the federation of the colonies of the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Transvaal, and the Orange River Colony1912Government of India Act, 1912Issued political reforms in the aftermath of the partition of Bengal 1914Government of Ireland Act 1920Granted Irish Home Rule, with autonomous devolved government to take control of Ireland 1914Suspensory Act 1914Delayed Irish Home Rule until the end of World War I 1914Cyprus (Annexation) Order in Council 1914Cyprus formally annexed1916 Proclamation of the Irish RepublicThe Irish Volunteers, Irish Citizen Army, and Irish Republican Brotherhood proclaim the Irish Republic. 1919Irish Declaration of IndependenceThe Dáil Éireann declares the independence of the Irish Republic, which is not recognized by the British government and begins the Irish War of Independence. 1919Government of India Act 1919Granted limited responsible government for India, including a reformed Imperial Legislative Council and Provincial Councils1920Kenya (Annexation) Order in Council 1920Most of the East Africa Protectorate is annexed as the Colony of Kenya1920Government of Ireland Act 1920Partitioned Ireland into autonomous regions of Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland due to Irish War of Independence1922Anglo Irish TreatySouthern Ireland is separated from the United Kingdom as the Irish Free StateUnilateral Declaration of Egyptian IndependenceEgypt becomes independent1926Balfour Declaration of 1926Declared the Dominions to be "autonomous Communities within the British Empire, equal in status" and established the Commonwealth of Nations1930 Purna SwarajThe Indian National Congress declared the Indian subcontinent's right to independence. 1931Statute of WestminsterCanada, the Irish Free State, and the Union of South Africa obtain effective sovereignty1934Financial difficulties result in Newfoundland losing its status as a dominion1935Government of India Act 1935Permitted limited provincial autonomy and autonomous institutions for India incl. the princely states, as well as separating Burma from India1942Australia adopts the Statute of Westminster, backdated to 19391947New Zealand Constitution Amendment (Request and Consent) Act 1947New Zealand adopts the Statute of WestminsterIndian Independence Act 1947India is partitioned into the independent dominions of India and Pakistan1948Republic of Ireland Act 1948Abolished the Irish monarchy and replaced it with a democratically elected President of Ireland, severing final constitutional links between the United Kingdom and Ireland 1948King George VI relinquishes the title "Emperor of India"1948Israeli Declaration of IndependenceThe Jewish community of Mandatory Palestine declares independence as the State of Israel1949 Ireland Act 1949British Parliament recognizes the Republic of Ireland Act 19481949Newfoundland ActNewfoundland becomes a province of Canada1949 London DeclarationAllowed continued Indian membership in the Commonwealth of Nations after the abolition of the Indian monarchy1955Buganda Agreement (1955)Reestablished Mutesa II as constitutional monarch of Kingdom of Buganda after the Kabaka crisis1957 Malayan Declaration of IndependenceThe Federation of Malaya declares independence. 1957–1958Lancaster House Agreements (Nigeria)Negotiated independence of Nigeria from the British Empire as well as its post colonial legal and constitutional system1960Nigeria Independence Act 1960The Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria becomes independent1960–1963Lancaster House Agreements (Kenya)Negotiated independence of Kenya from the British Empire as well as its post colonial legal and constitutional system1961Buganda Agreement (1965)Negotiated independence of Uganda from the British Empire as well as its post colonial legal and constitutional system1962Jamaica Independence Act 1962Jamaica becomes independent1963Malaysia AgreementTransferred North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore from the British Empire to Malaya, renamed Malaysia under the agreement1965Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of IndependenceDeclared independence of Rhodesia from the British Empire, not recognized by the British government under principle of no independence before majority rule1966Barbados Independence Act 1966Declared independence of Barbados from the British Empire1970 Instruments of IndependenceFiji becomes independent 1971Singapore DeclarationIdentified the Commonwealth of Nations as a "voluntary association of independent sovereign states"1979 Lancaster House AgreementAgreement between Zimbabwe Rhodesia and the black nationalist groups ZANU and ZAPU ending the Rhodesian Bush War and temporarily resuming British control in preparation for majority rule and independence as Zimbabwe 1982 Canada Act 1982Completed patriation of Constitution of Canada by ending British Parliament's authority to make laws and constitutional amendments related to Canada, severing final constitutional links between the two 1983The status of "colony" is renamed "dependent territory"1986Constitution Act 1986Severed final constitutional links between Britain and New Zealand, including the British Parliament's abilities to make laws related to New Zealand1986Australia Act 1986Severed final constitutional links between Britain and Australia, including the British Parliament's abilities to make laws related to Australia. 1997Sino British Joint Declaration (1984) and the Hong Kong Act 1985Hong Kong is transferred to the People's Republic of China2002The status of "British Dependent Territory" is renamed "British Overseas Territory"