Keep Britain Great

Deleted member 94680

Thus full devolution comes with a separate English parliament (Manchester? York? Oxford even?) Maybe in 1919 in the wake of the war. Or perhaps in 1930 when representation is extended to the Dominions?

I imagine in a 1919 era Manchester would be the best bet for an English capital. Anything too 'southern' (Oxford, Winchester, etc) would be too close to London and risk sinking into obscurity. By pushing it further north, but still on good travel links, it has a chance to thrive and develop. Also would stop it looking like a sop to English nationalists and a talking shop. I like the idea of an alt-London as the capital of the Empire, sorry Commonwealth, full of diplomats and embassies.
 
I don't think the issue of non-White dominions being underrepresented in the Imperial Parliment would be resolved so quickly.
It is likely that it would continue with perhaps several ineffectual attempts at reform until the late 50s at the very earliest. By this time it will have become clear to the powers in Westminster that the Imperial Federation's (United Empire?) power in large part relies. on the resources and manpower of the nonwhite dominions such India and Malaya.
Faced with the prospect of extending political equality, or losing their global position they are more likely to then reform the institution. However I think they will initially only do this with the lower house, a upper house weighted in favour of Britain and the white dominions will likely continue until late in the century.

By 1990 I think you might find a set of Dominions like this;
United Kingdom
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
India
Burma
Malaysia
West Indies Federation
Central African Federation (Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi)
West African Federation (Sierra Leone, Gambia, Ghana, Togo)
East African Federation (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda)
South Africa (inc. Namibia and Botswana)
Nigeria

And maybe a set of smaller Dominion like states that also have representation;
Malta
Gibraltar
Falkland Islands
Hong Kong

Inevitably India would be the big beast here, but the various African Dominions would be a significant counterbalance, and the white dominions would retain massive economic power until the late 20th century.

I think such a state might have been possible to construct, but it would have not have been easy by any definition, and there would be points mid century where it would have looked certain to fly apart. By the 90s to remain intact, it would had to have enact equal franchise to all dominion one, and in doing so would definitely no longer be the British Empire. Rather it would probably call itself a successor state to that institution, perhaps something like 'The United Commonwealth'.

Tensions could erupt if Ireland isn't left as it's own dominion, and republican support could rise if the population feel they are being ignored. A country wide Troubles could happen, particularly if groups like the IRB or IRA still exist.
 
Tensions could erupt if Ireland isn't left as it's own dominion, and republican support could rise if the population feel they are being ignored. A country wide Troubles could happen, particularly if groups like the IRB or IRA still exist.

Sorry forgot to add them. Witness my terrible Anglo chauvinism at work.
 
Sorry forgot to add them. Witness my terrible Anglo chauvinism at work.

I thought you'd rolled them into the United Kingdom which I would have accepted if there hadn't been home rule given to them earlier. I suppose a conservative government might revoke it so it works.
 
I don't think the issue of non-White dominions being underrepresented in the Imperial Parliment would be resolved so quickly.
It is likely that it would continue with perhaps several ineffectual attempts at reform until the late 50s at the very earliest. By this time it will have become clear to the powers in Westminster that the Imperial Federation's (United Empire?) power in large part relies. on the resources and manpower of the nonwhite dominions such India and Malaya.
Faced with the prospect of extending political equality, or losing their global position they are more likely to then reform the institution. However I think they will initially only do this with the lower house, a upper house weighted in favour of Britain and the white dominions will likely continue until late in the century.

By 1990 I think you might find a set of Dominions like this;
United Kingdom
Ireland
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
India
Burma
Malaysia
West Indies Federation
Central African Federation (Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi)
West African Federation (Sierra Leone, Gambia, Ghana, Togo)
East African Federation (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda)
South Africa (inc. Namibia and Botswana)
Nigeria

And maybe a set of smaller Dominion like states that also have representation;
Malta
Gibraltar
Falkland Islands
Hong Kong

Inevitably India would be the big beast here, but the various African Dominions would be a significant counterbalance, and the white dominions would retain massive economic power until the late 20th century.

I think such a state might have been possible to construct, but it would have not have been easy by any definition, and there would be points mid century where it would have looked certain to fly apart. By the 90s to remain intact, it would had to have enact equal franchise to all dominion one, and in doing so would definitely no longer be the British Empire. Rather it would probably call itself a successor state to that institution, perhaps something like 'The United Commonwealth'.

I agree the issue non-white representation would take a lot longer to resolve, I've pushed it back to the late 80s and it does become an Indian empire, it's simply unavoidable. The population disparity will mean it ends up that way.
 
I agree the issue non-white representation would take a lot longer to resolve, I've pushed it back to the late 80s and it does become an Indian empire, it's simply unavoidable. The population disparity will mean it ends up that way.
Not really. India's current population is very large due to their low economic performance and their choice around education so families had lot's of children who themselves had lot's of children. If you can get their economy of the ground (which as is implied via industrializing it), which will then subsequently need education facilities to train their work force, then you can cut of that population cycle a lot sooner meaning it wouldn't get close to OTL India population. This also has the advantage that while India's incredible jungles and forestry resources are likely to be weakened, they may not be completely killed off like today just to feed themselves.

India itself also isn't united, so there isn't going to be a solid Indian block vote. They'll have disagreements like all countries, so you'll see vote blocks in the parliament being about policy rather than origin. The lower Indian population also has to compete with the other African and Malay dominions which will be populous themselves, and a united commonwealth likely means increased immigration to places like Canada.

A way to get around the Indian representation in the parliament during it's early years could simply be not distributing seats solely on population. Instead you could have a 50/50 GDP per dominion/population (or whichever percentage makes most sense) which would make a certain amount of sense, as the funding for the Imperial policies will be coming disproportionately from the wealthier nations; and this helps retain the white dominions representation in the short term while medium and long term it will be gradually diminished as standards through the commonwealth start to converge. There's another benefit that makes it quite powerful as by manipulating human psychology via incentives, poor but populous countries are further encouraged to grow their economy to boost their political power, and the same is true of wealthy but relatively small countries who are encouraged to promote immigration to them so they'll also get a greater political influence so it's a force for homogenization.
 
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I don't think the issue of non-White dominions being underrepresented in the Imperial Parliment would be resolved so quickly.
It is likely that it would continue with perhaps several ineffectual attempts at reform until the late 50s at the very earliest. By this time it will have become clear to the powers in Westminster that the Imperial Federation's (United Empire?) power in large part relies. on the resources and manpower of the nonwhite dominions such India and Malaya.
Faced with the prospect of extending political equality, or losing their global position they are more likely to then reform the institution. However I think they will initially only do this with the lower house, a upper house weighted in favour of Britain and the white dominions will likely continue until late in the century.

By 1990 I think you might find a set of Dominions like this;
United Kingdom
Ireland
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
India
Burma
Malaysia
West Indies Federation
Central African Federation (Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi)
West African Federation (Sierra Leone, Gambia, Ghana, Togo)
East African Federation (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda)
South Africa (inc. Namibia and Botswana)
Nigeria

And maybe a set of smaller Dominion like states that also have representation;
Malta
Gibraltar
Falkland Islands
Hong Kong

Inevitably India would be the big beast here, but the various African Dominions would be a significant counterbalance, and the white dominions would retain massive economic power until the late 20th century.

I think such a state might have been possible to construct, but it would have not have been easy by any definition, and there would be points mid century where it would have looked certain to fly apart. By the 90s to remain intact, it would had to have enact equal franchise to all dominion one, and in doing so would definitely no longer be the British Empire. Rather it would probably call itself a successor state to that institution, perhaps something like 'The United Commonwealth'.

I like this. So if you base representation on population and contribution you initially maintain British dominance and then when the Dominions are placed on the same level as the UK nations, white dominance. You can keep British and white control of the Lords simply by keeping hereditary peers.

Off to teak the timeline.
 
The Genesis of Federation

1901: The British government recognises the critical future importance of the Dominions contribution in maintaining British power. Thus they begin to cash in their investments in the US and rather than spending them on high explosives to throw at Germany, they invest them on developing the Dominions' and India's industrial base along with modernising British industry.

1911: The Irish Home Rule Act is introduced a few years early and thus not scuppered by the 1st WW. After some rather tense teething problems, an Irish civil war is avoided and home goes relatively smoothly despite some very loud grumblings from nationalists and loyalists.

1912: After the success of Irish home rule agitation for Scottish home rule becomes equally as intense. The Liberals lose a vote of no confidence after attempts to introduce a Scottish home rule bill. However they remain in power after the election with support of Irish and Scottish nationalists. With a mandate from the electorate, Scotland gains nearly identical devolved powers to Ireland in 1913. Calls for further provincial devolution becomes the foremost issue in British politics.

1914: The 1st WW erupts, the BEF is dispatched to France and the conflict moves to trench warfare as in the OTL. The devolution debate is shelved for the duration.

1915: Rather than trying to run both a full scale continental land and naval war, Britain scales back it's contribution to France and concentrates on Gallipoli and the Balkans. A bit better management and greater resources opens the straights and keeps Bulgaria out of the war.

1916: Due to greater Entente support the Brusilov offensive is a considerably more successful and the Romanian oilfields stay out of Central Powers hands.

1917: Despite some very serious speed wobbles Russia stays in the war and while the US stays out (lack of diesel prevents USW), their cash (in the form of unsecured loans) comes in. The war comes to a close with a negotiated CP defeat at the end of the year.

1918: The policy of Indianisation introduced in the wake of the war is more extensive and effective than in the OTL. The prewar policy of industrialising the Empire is continued and expanded. In the UK the devolution debate resurfaces.

1919: In response to the to US and Japanese naval building the UK launches a new naval program focused on fast battleships and naval aviation. Five dubious battle cruisers (initially Furious, Courageous and Glorious starting conversation in 1920, then Renown and Repulse starting conversation in 1924) are converted to fast fleet carriers along with several purpose built ships over the next twelve years. US congress halts construction for several years due to cost and the Japanese are unable to maintain their building. Thus British naval supremacy is restored. HMAS Australia and HMS New Zealand are also saved from the scrap yard to become light carriers for service in the Pacific.

1921: The liberal lead minority government falls over the issue of devolution. The new Tory government rejects any further devolution.

1924: The Tory government attempts to begin a roll back of devolution by removing the Irish government's power over the post office on the grounds of retaining control over national communications (placing Irish home rule on the same level as Scottish). The government falls and a Labour lead coalition government comes to power.
 
The White Empire

1925: The Devolution of Government Bill is introduced. Government in the UK is to be divided into seven "national" assemblies. Ireland, Ulster (the supposed temporary partition after Irish home rule becoming permanent), Scotland, Wales, Northumbria (from the Mersey to the Scottish border), Cornwall and England. The Westminster Parliament retains control of London, national communications (the post office), matters affecting the UK as a whole, defence, Imperial and foreign affairs. Irish nationalists vocally oppose the Bill due to the partition of Ireland and MacDonald make the issue a confidence vote. The Bill is defeated and MacDonald goes to the polls.

1926: The result of the 1925 election is the first majority Labour government with a clear mandate for the implementation of devolution. A new Devolution Bill, virtually identical to the previous one, is introduced and passed into law.

1927: The MacDonald declaration acknowledges the Dominions of Canada, Newfoundland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand as equal partners to the UK creating the British Commonwealth.

1931: The Statute of Westminster grants the Dominions representation in the Westminster Parliament transforming it into a Commonwealth Parliament. However, representation in Westminster is determined both by population and contribution to the Empire. This two tier system maintains British dominance of the Empire. The Dominions militaries are incorporated into the a unified Royal Navy and Commonwealth Army.

1932: India is granted a form of home rule as a federation, but is not given Dominion status or representation in Westminster.

~1933: The inconclusive 1st WW has done little to resolve tensions in Europe and the continent begins to move towards another in the wake of the Great Depression.

1935: The Commonwealth begins a large scale rearmament program in response to increased tension in Europe. The RFC is split off from the army to become the RAF. The RNAS remains under naval control but the Admiralty and War Office are unified into a single Ministry of Defence.

1938: With a new European war seeming imminent and the need to secure Indian support, India is granted home rule equal to the Dominions as well as seats in the Westminster Parliament as a Commonwealth State. However the desire to retain white domination of Commonwealth politics results in significant underrepresention in the Westminster Parliament, well below that of the Dominions. Pressure is brought on the Princely States to join the Federation.

~1940: A highly butterflied 2nd WW breaks out.

~1945: After victory in the war, the issues of racism and the gross underrepresentation of India the Westminster Parliament have now come to the fore. A series Imperial Government Acts slowly increase Indian representation and gradually introduce a "nativisation" program similar to that of India for other colonies.

1948: In an attempt to counter increased Indian representation in the Westminster Parliament, the first Imperial Government Act eliminates the differences in representation between the five Dominions and the seven Nations of the UK. White dominance is maintained by the lower value placed on the Indian contribution.

1952: A sixth dominion is created in Palestine to deal with calls for a Jewish homeland.

~1970: The issues of racism and nativisation, now renamed indigenisation, have come dominate Commonwealth politics. Despite progress, there is still much racism within the Dominions and the UK itself. Also indigenisation has become highly controversial, attracting much criticism not only for it's slow pace (unfavourable comparisons with the de-colonialisation of other European empires are frequent) but also widespread claims that it is in fact a policy of anglisation. These criticisms are usually countered by highlighting the often violent nature of de-colonialisation and stressing the importance of good government, pointing to the corruption in former European colonies.
 
The Imperial Commonwealth

1972: The Imperial Government Act of this year creates the second Commonwealth State from the colonies in the Caribbean. It also drops the term British from the Commonwealth's formal title, renaming it the Imperial Commonwealth.

1979: The next Imperial Government Act grants the colonies significant local autonomy, approaching that of a Commonwealth State.

~1984: There are now ten Commonwealth States, normally created by grouping former colonies into federal states, but India's increasing wealth and power have resulted in considerable friction between it and the other Commonwealth States. Also the federal nature of the Commonwealth States has prevented the emergence of national voting blocks.

1986: A series of scandals involving corruption and nepotism within the administration of a number the now autonomous colonies leads to the Commonwealth Government reserving the right to suspend a colony's autonomy in the event of mismanagement.

1988: Major reform of the House of Commons finally places representation of the Commonwealth States on the same basis as the UK Nations and Dominions. Each member state is guaranteed a minimum level of representation but the overwhelming population of the Commonwealth States has resulted in clear dominance of Westminster. Though the differing terms Nation of the United Kingdom, Dominion and Commonwealth State are retained, there is no effective difference between them in the lower house. House of Lords however remains dominated by the white states due to the inclusion of hereditary peers and this continues to be a point of tension.

2001: Despite friction between India and the other Commonwealth States, reform has continued. The 2001 Imperial Government Act grants limited representation in the Westminster Parliament to the colonies and removes the hereditary peers from the House of Lords have bringing equal representation here.

The former British Empire has evolved into a multicultural democratic global federation now commonly known simply as the Commonwealth. It is one of the four great powers along with the US, Russia and the European Union. Racism with the Empire is now a much lesser issue. However indigenisation remains a source of controversy. It is rejected by some within the remaining colonies, calling for full independence instead. These feelings are particularly strong in the Middle East, a region critical to Commonwealth security.

There are a few who call for modernisation and a republic. The formal rejection of the old Imperial heritage. However there is little general support for this and it is mostly confined to the colonies. Popular opinion holds that these traditional forms provide an important stabilising influence. Despite scandals in the 1990s the Royal Family are well regarded and Queen Elizabeth is much respected. Life Peers of the Realm are appointed throughout the Commonwealth, and while they have rather fallen out of fashion since the 1960s new hereditary titles are still created occasionally. While many of the formalities of the Commonwealth are anachronistic, they are valued as a link to the past and seen as adding prestige. The largest controversy in this regard is the continuance of male preference primogeniture in Royal succession.

Many Commonwealth citizens seem told hold the somewhat smug and perhaps arrogant attitude that republican forms common elsewhere are slightly "tacky." The attitude seems to be if you're going to have a powerless head of state you may as well call her Queen, and well, adding Royal to an organisation's title just sounds better.

Internationally however, despite global peace since the end of the 2nd WW, the world is becoming restless again in the face of the rising power of China in the east and growing tensions between Europe and Russia. The Commonwealth is attempting to remain aloof but the threat of a Third World War can not be ignored, especially as it would likely involve nuclear weapons.
 
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Deleted member 94680

I like this. So if you base representation on population and contribution you initially maintain British dominance and then when the Dominions are placed on the same level as the UK nations, white dominance. You can keep British and white control of the Lords simply by keeping hereditary peers.

Off to teak the timeline.

Ooh I like a good teak timeline: nice, solid and durable!
 

Thomas1195

Banned
What about a British Empire with only UK, White Dominions, Malaya (and Singapore), Suez, Malta, Gibraltar, Falkland. Then Britain become the leader of European integration, and then incorporate both European countries and its own subordinates into a single trading bloc. This would require winning the war without Lend-Lease.
 
I imagine in a 1919 era Manchester would be the best bet for an English capital. Anything too 'southern' (Oxford, Winchester, etc) would be too close to London and risk sinking into obscurity. By pushing it further north, but still on good travel links, it has a chance to thrive and develop. Also would stop it looking like a sop to English nationalists and a talking shop. I like the idea of an alt-London as the capital of the Empire, sorry Commonwealth, full of diplomats and embassies.

I recall a map showing Manchester at the center of the British airways route structure linking the major city centers so perhaps it is seen as a sort of earlier Brasilia, modern and "Future Britain" / "The Center of the Commonwealth"?
 
Having tweaked further

The Genesis of Federation

1901: After the Boer War the British government recognises the critical future importance of the Empire's contribution in maintaining British power. Thus they begin to cash in their investments in the US and investing them on developing the Dominions and India's industrial base along with modernising British industry.

1911: The Irish Home Rule Act is passed into law granting Ireland near total domestic autonomy. An Irish civil war is avoided by a supposed temporary partition and home rule goes relatively smoothly despite some very loud grumblings from both nationalists and loyalists.

1912: After the success of Irish home rule agitation for Scottish home rule becomes equally as intense. The Liberals lose a vote of no confidence after attempts to introduce a Scottish home rule bill. However they remain in power after the election with support of Irish and Scottish nationalists. With a mandate from the electorate, Scotland gains nearly identical devolved powers to Ireland in 1913. Calls for further provincial devolution becomes the foremost issue in British politics.

1914: The Great War erupts, the BEF is dispatched to France and the conflict moves to static trench warfare. The devolution debate is shelved for the duration.

1915: Rather than trying to run both a full scale continental land and naval war, Britain scales back it's contribution to France and concentrates on Gallipoli and the Balkans. A well managed and resourced campaign opens the straits and keeps Bulgaria out of the war.

1916: Due to significant Entente support the Brusilov offensive is a massive success, inflicting crippling casualties on both Germany and Austria-Hungary. The Romanians enter the war. Despite a poor performance and the loss of much territory, the vital oilfields stay out of Central Powers hands.

1917: In Russia, the enormous casualties suffered in 1916 results on the fall of the Tsar. But the new government stays in the war as Bolshevik agitation is contained with Entente support. The US remains neutral as lack of diesel prevents unrestricted submarine warfare. Nonetheless, the threat of an abrupt end to Entente war orders as they run out of cash causes Congress to extend unsecured loans, allowing the orders to continue. The French teeter on despite massive casualties but war weariness leads to the Paris mob rioting and a coup the replaces the 3rd Republic with a Petain led military government. The war comes to a close with a negotiated Central Powers defeat at the end of the year.

1918: The an extensive and effective policy of Indianisation is introduced in the wake of the war. The prewar policy of industrialising the Empire is continued and expanded. In the UK the devolution debate resurfaces.

1919: In response to the to US and Japanese wartime building the UK launches a new naval program focused on fast battleships and naval aviation. Five dubious battle cruisers (initially Furious, Courageous and Glorious starting conversation in 1920, then Renown and Repulse starting conversation in 1924) are converted to fast fleet carriers along with several purpose built ships over the next twelve years. US Congress balks at the cost of naval arms race and virtually halts construction until the 1930s. Meanwhile the weakness of the Japanese economy means are unable to complete their planned expansion. Thus British naval supremacy is restored. HMAS Australia and HMS New Zealand are also saved from the scrap yard to become light carriers for service in the Pacific.

1921: The liberal lead minority government falls over the issue of devolution. The new Tory government rejects any further devolution.

1924: The Tory government attempts to begin a roll back of devolution by removing the Irish government's power over the post office on the grounds of retaining control over national communications (placing Irish home rule on the same level as Scottish). The government falls and a Labour lead coalition government comes to power.
 
A Very British Commonwealth

1925: The Devolution of Government Bill is introduced. Government in the UK is to be divided into seven national assemblies. Ireland, Ulster (the supposed temporary partition after becoming permanent), Scotland, Wales, Northumbria (from the Mersey to the Scottish border), Cornwall and England. The Westminster Parliament will retain control of the County of London, national communications, matters affecting the UK as a whole, defence, Imperial and foreign affairs. Irish nationalists vocally oppose the Bill due to the partition of Ireland and MacDonald make the issue a confidence vote. The Bill is defeated and MacDonald goes to the polls.

1926: The result of the 1925 election is the first majority Labour government with a clear mandate for the implementation of devolution. A new Devolution Bill, virtually identical to the previous one, is introduced and passed into law. Dublin and Edinburgh remain the capitals of Ireland and Scotland. The capitals of the other nations are, Belfast, York, Cardiff, Truro and Birmingham.

1927: The MacDonald declaration acknowledges the Dominions of Canada, Newfoundland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand as equal partners to the UK creating the British Commonwealth.

1931: The Statute of Westminster grants the Dominions representation in the Westminster Parliament transforming it into a Commonwealth Parliament. However, representation in Westminster is determined both by population and contribution to the Empire. This two tier system maintains British dominance of the Empire. The Dominions militaries are incorporated into the a unified Royal Navy and Commonwealth Army.

1932: India is granted a form of home rule as a federation, but is not given Dominion status or representation in Westminster.

~1933: The inconclusive Great War has done little to resolve tensions in Europe and the continent begins to move towards another in the wake of the Great Depression.

1935: The Commonwealth begins a large scale rearmament program in response to increased tension in Europe. The RFC is split off from the army to become the RAF. The RNAS remains under naval control but the Admiralty and War Office are unified into a single Ministry of Defence.

1938: With a new European war seeming imminent and the need to secure Indian support, India is granted home rule equal to the Dominions as well as seats in the Westminster Parliament as a Commonwealth State. However the desire to retain white domination of Commonwealth politics results in significant underrepresention in the Westminster Parliament, well below that of the Dominions.

1939: The Imperial Citizenship Act creates a two level citizenship. Citizens have both an imperial and local citizenship. This allows member governments to impose restrictions on internal migration and naturalisation.
 
The White Empire

1945: After six years of war, the Allies finally force the Axis to unconditionally surrender. In the wake of the war, the issues of racism and the gross underrepresentation of India the Westminster Parliament have now come to the fore. A series Imperial Government Acts over the next forty years slowly increase Indian representation and gradually introduce a "nativisation" program similar to that of India for other colonies.

1948: In an attempt to counter increased Indian representation in the Westminster Parliament, the second Imperial Government Act eliminates the differences in representation between the five Dominions and the seven Nations of the UK. White dominance is maintained by the lower value placed on the Indian contribution.

1952: The Nazi genocide of the Jews has led to wide support within the Commonwealth for Zionism. Despite opposition, sometimes violent, from the Arab population many European Jews have been allowed to migrate to Palestine. A sixth dominion is created in Palestine to deal with these calls for a Jewish homeland.

1955: Imperial citizens are guaranteed certain minimum rights regardless of where they reside. This places limits on local governments to discriminate against migrants. These rights will gradually be expanded.

1962: The Imperial Government Act of this year creates a second Commonwealth State from the colonies in the Caribbean. It also drops the term British from the Commonwealth's formal title, renaming it the Imperial Commonwealth.

1968: Since the start of their involvement in the Vietnam War, the US government has made frequent unsuccessful requests for Commonwealth troops. With the ongoing Tet Offensive the US issue a near demand. The Conservative government of John McEwen finally agrees. However by this stage all Commonwealth governments are minority administrations. Thus they rely on agreements with other parties over and supply. A number of such parties supporting McEwen's government withdraw support over the issue and the government falls. This marks the start of the deterioration in Commonwealth-US relations that will result in the end of the western alliance that has dominated the world since the end of the Second Great War.

1969: Imperial citizens are granted the right to reside and work anywhere within the Commonwealth. Local governments may still impose other restrictions. The situation regarding holding multiple local citizenships is clarified in favour of multiple local citizenship.

~1970: The issues of racism and nativisation, now named colonial integration, dominate Commonwealth politics. Despite progress, there is still much discrimination against non-whites. Also indigenisation has become highly controversial, attracting much criticism not only for it's slow pace (unfavourable comparisons with the de-colonialisation of other European empires are frequent) but also widespread claims that it is in fact a policy of anglisation. These criticisms are usually countered by highlighting the often violent nature of de-colonialisation and pointing to corruption in former European colonies.

1971: The US backs a UN resolution transferring China's permanent seat on the Security Council from the Commonwealth backed Nationalist government in Taiwan to the Communist government on the China. The Commonwealth continues to refuse to recognise the Communist government.

1974: The next Imperial Government Act grants the colonies significant local autonomy.

1978: General Sir Zaid Ibn Shaker is the first non-European appointed to the position of Chief of Staff in the Commonwealth defence forces.
 
Imperial Superpower

1981: A series of scandals involving corruption and nepotism within the administration of a number the now autonomous colonies leads to the Commonwealth Government reserving the right to suspend a colony's autonomy in the event of mismanagement.

1982: After years of Commonwealth pressure to democratise, the Nationalist Chinese hold free elections. Fearful of a pro-independence government, the Communist Chinese engage in missile tests and amphibious exercises aimed at Taiwan. The Commonwealth responds with a show of military force. This marks the emergence of the Commonwealth as a truly independent superpower.

1984: Imperial citizens are now entitled to all the rights and obligations of a local citizen except local voting rights after a ten year residency. All local governments are also now required to have a clear pathway to the acquisition of local citizenship.

1987: After years of uncertainty over the future of Hong Kong, the Nationalist Chinese government and the Commonwealth sign the treaty of Taipei. This permanently cedes the New Territories of Hong Kong to the Commonwealth in return for the Commonwealth guaranteeing Taiwan's security. The US backs a Chinese resolution in the UN security council condemning the Commonwealth actions. This marks final breakdown of the Commonwealth-US alliance. Hong Kong becomes a Commonwealth State.

1988: Major reform of the House of Commons finally places representation of the Commonwealth States on the same basis as the UK Nations and Dominions. Each member state is guaranteed a minimum level of representation but the overwhelming population of the Commonwealth States has resulted in clear dominance of Westminster. Though the differing terms Nation of the United Kingdom, Dominion and Commonwealth State are retained, there is no effective difference between them in the lower house. House of Lords however remains dominated by the white states due to the inclusion of hereditary peers and this continues to be a point of tension.

1991: The Anglican church is disestablished as the state religion of the Commonwealth.

1993: The residency period for local rights is reduce to five years.

1997: The Democratic Socialist party, led by Margaret Nasha, wins a majority in the Westminster Parliament. She becomes the first non-European prime minister of the Commonwealth.

1998: Despite Communist warnings that they will respond with force, the government in Taiwan holds a referendum on independence. The result is a 78% majority in favour of independence. The Fourth Taiwan Straits Crisis develops in a short but bloody war. The Commonwealth's superiority shows quickly with the Chinese suffering heavy losses but still inflicting significant damage on both the Commonwealth and Taiwanese forces as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong. However, the Chinese are forced to recognise Taiwanese independence and Commonwealth sovereignty over Hong Kong in return for Commonwealth recognition of Chinese sovereignty over Askai Chin and Tibet.
 
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