Commonwealth of Nations Worksheets
Do you want to save dozens of hours in time? Get your evenings and weekends back? Be able to teach about the Commonwealth of Nations to your students?
Our worksheet bundle includes a fact file and printable worksheets and student activities. Perfect for both the classroom and homeschooling!
Resource Examples
Click any of the example images below to view a larger version.
Fact File
Student Activities
Table of Contents
Add a header to begin generating the table of contents
Summary
- Origin and Establishment
- Membership
- Structure, Function, and Objectives
Key Facts And Information
Let’s find out more about the Commonwealth of Nations!
Created as the British Commonwealth of Nations, or simply the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary international organisation composed of 56 sovereign states, mostly former dependencies of the British Empire following its decolonisation in the early 20th century. The present Commonwealth was constituted by the London Declaration in 1949. The Balfour Declaration of 1926, the Statute of Westminster of 1931, and the London Declaration of 1949 grounded the establishment of the Commonwealth.
Flag of the Commonwealth of Nations
Origin and Establishment of the Commonwealth of Nations
- The Commonwealth of Nations was an evolutionary product of the imperial conferences in the late 19th century. As Queen Elizabeth II pointed out in her 1959 Dominion Day Address, the Confederation of Canada became the first independent country within the British Empire in 1867. Since then, changes in the British Empire have become inevitable as more colonies seek independence.
- Between 1887 and 1937, Imperial Conferences were mainly held in London, where the prime ministers of self-governing colonies and dominions of the British Empire gathered. Among the notable concessions of the meetings was the acknowledgement of equality between its members under the Balfour Declaration.
"equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs, though united by common allegiance to the Crown, and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations"
- Following the First World War, nationalism rapidly grew in many parts of the British Empire. As a result, London reconsidered the nature of the Commonwealth.
- By 1930, the Colonial Laws Validity Act and other Imperial Acts abolished the British Parliament's legislative superiority. On 11 December 1931, the Statute of Westminster was passed, which set the relationship between the Dominions and the Crown. This further supported the development of the Dominions as independent and sovereign states upon ratification (except Canada).
- Australia and New Zealand were among the Dominions that ratified the statute in 1942 and 1947, respectively, while the Parliament of South Africa independently passed the Status of the Union Act and the Royal Executive Functions and Seals Act in 1934, which confirmed their status as a sovereign state.
Membership
- Under the 1926 Balfour Declaration, the Commonwealth, which had Australia, Canada, the Irish Free State, Newfoundland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom as its original members, was known as the British Commonwealth.
- The modern Commonwealth and its name were adopted after the London Declaration in 1949. The conference revolved around India’s new status after transitioning into a republic. Drafted by Indian statesman V.K. Krishna Menon, the London Declaration stipulated the agreement of Commonwealth prime ministers of India’s membership. In return, India's government also agreed to recognise the British monarch as a symbol of the Commonwealth’s free association. Despite being particular about India, the declaration reaffirmed that republicanism was accepted in the organisation as long as allegiance to the Crown was recognised.
Map showing the members of the Commonwealth of Nations
- As of 2024, the Commonwealth of Nations’ members are 56 independent countries. 15 are Commonwealth of realms, or sovereign states that recognise the Head of the Commonwealth (Charles III). Five are monarchies with their individual monarchs, and the rest are republics.
- The practice of recognising the ruling British monarch as the Head of the Commonwealth began with the passage of the Royal Style and Titles Act in 1876.
- Since its inception, the criteria for membership in the Commonwealth of Nations have been altered. Among the most significant documents are the Harare principles and the Edinburgh criteria. The Harare principles require all member states to recognise and practise democracy and respect for human rights. Noncompliance will result in suspension or expulsion, as applied to Fiji, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. Later, Zimbabwe withdrew from the Commonwealth.
- Meanwhile, the Edinburg criteria require a new member to have constitutional or administrative ties to at least one member state. In the early days, the criteria were limited to relations with the UK, but they have been revised several times, including the most recent meeting in 2009, in which Rwanda was admitted. Other Commonwealth membership documents included the Singapore Declaration, Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme, and the Kampala Communiqué.
Structure, Function, and Objectives of the Commonwealth of Nations
- With 70 years in office, Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-serving Head of the Commonwealth. While the office is not hereditary, the Commonwealth leaders agreed in 2018 that Prince Charles should succeed after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
- Considered equals, the Commonwealth Heads of Government serve as the main decision body led by the chair-in-office (CIO). They hold regular meetings or the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Since 1965, the Commonwealth Secretariat, with its headquarters at Marlborough House, London, has served as the primary intergovernmental agency of the Commonwealth, overseeing the cooperation of its members.
- Elected by the Commonwealth heads of government, the secretary-general leads the secretariat. From April 2016 until today (2024), Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland of Asthal, has served as secretary-general. Previously elected secretaries-general included Kamalesh Sharma of India, Shridath Ramphal of Guyana, Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria, Don McKinnon of New Zealand, and Arnold Smith of Canada.
- The Commonwealth of Nations has an institutional connection between its members to a limited extent. For example, Commonwealth citizens are eligible to serve in the British Armed Forces. However, after World War II, Commonwealth recruits declined due to a lack of eligible vacancies.
- Under the 1971 Singapore Declaration, the Commonwealth of Nations was committed to instituting world peace and promoting representative democracy and individual liberty.
- More declarations were adopted in 1979, 1989, and 1991, which expanded the organisation's aim to include the pursuit of equality, opposition to discrimination based on race and gender, the fight against poverty, ignorance, and disease, free trade, and environmental sustainability.
- The Commonwealth countries share non-governmental organisations, such as the Association of Commonwealth Universities, that promote education, culture, charity, and sports.
- Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Foundation, established in 1965, aims to strengthen civil society by promoting democracy and good governance, respect for human rights and gender equality, poverty eradication, people-centred and sustainable development, and to promote arts and culture.
- Every four years, a multi-sport event is held, and the members of the Commonwealth participate. Originating from the Empire Games in 1930, the Commonwealth Games aims to promote relations between its members and celebrate their shared sporting and cultural heritage. Bowls, netball, and rugby sevens are among the most popular.
- The Commonwealth flag consists of a gold globe at the centre of a blue field. It signifies the organisation's global nature and the breadth of its membership. The current flag was adopted in 2013, modifying the 1976 design.
- The globe was titled in the 2013 design, and the number of rays was reduced to 34 from the original 64.
- Unlike other international organisations, such as the United Nations (UN) or the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Commonwealth of Nations has no formal bylaws that hold a formal obligation to one another. Instead, they are held together by shared institutions, traditions, and economic interests.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Commonwealth of Nations
- What is the Commonwealth of Nations?
The Commonwealth of Nations is a political association of 56 member countries, most of which were formerly part of the British Empire.
- What is the purpose of the Commonwealth of Nations?
The Commonwealth aims to promote peace, democracy, human rights, and sustainable development worldwide. It encourages cooperation between member countries, supports shared values, and works to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.
- Who is the head of the Commonwealth of Nations?
The Head of the Commonwealth is a symbolic and ceremonial position. As of now, King Charles III holds this title, which is separate from the role of head of state in any member country.