What is the Difference Between British Empire and Commonwealth?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The British Empire and the Commonwealth are two distinct entities with different structures, goals, and member relationships. Here are the key differences between them:
British Empire:
- The British Empire was a worldwide system of dependencies, including colonies, protectorates, and other territories, brought under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom.
- At its peak, the empire covered a fifth of the world's surface and was the largest empire in history.
- The British Empire was characterized by the close rule of its territories by the UK, with the crown exercising control over its colonies, particularly in the areas of trade and shipping.
Commonwealth:
- The Commonwealth is a free association of sovereign states, comprising the United Kingdom and many of its former dependencies that acknowledge the British monarch as the association's symbolic head.
- The modern Commonwealth was founded in 1949 when eight countries came together as "free and equal members of the Commonwealth of Nations, freely co-operative in the pursuit of peace, liberty and progress".
- The Commonwealth is a more loose association of countries, with a focus on promoting democracy, human rights, and economic development among its members.
- Member nations of the Commonwealth have some rights on other partner nations, whereas in the British Empire, all such rights were restricted to the leading power.
In summary, the British Empire was a vast network of territories under the direct rule of the UK, while the Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent nations that work together on a range of issues, with a focus on promoting democracy and human rights.
Comparative Table: British Empire vs Commonwealth
The British Empire and the Commonwealth are related but distinct entities. Here is a table highlighting the key differences between them:
| Feature | British Empire | Commonwealth |
|---|---|---|
| Territory | A large group of countries or territories ruled by a single power. | A free association of sovereign states, comprising the United Kingdom and a number of its former colonies. |
| Purpose | Forcing colonies to provide raw materials and markets for the ruling power. Imperialism and colonialism were the driving forces behind the Empire. | Maintain ties between countries that had once been part of the British Empire, while promoting cooperation in areas such as human rights, investment, trade, and culture. |
| Governance | Centralized control by the ruling power. Colonies had limited autonomy in their domestic and external affairs. | Member nations have equal status and are not subordinate to one another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs. |
| Formation | Founded on the principles of imperialism and colonialism, with a single constitution for the British Empire. | Evolved from the British Empire, with a focus on gradual independence for former colonies and the establishment of the Commonwealth of Nations. |
| Membership | Comprised of properties, lands, and colonies held by the ruling power. | Comprises 54 countries, most of which were former British colonies. |
The Commonwealth was established to maintain ties between countries that had once been part of the British Empire, while promoting cooperation and respecting the sovereignty of its member nations. The British Empire, on the other hand, was a centralized system of control and exploitation, with colonies providing resources and markets for the ruling power.
- Commonwealth vs Republic
- Commonwealth vs Protectorate
- Commonwealth vs State
- England vs British
- Kingdom vs Empire
- England vs Great Britain
- Britain vs Great Britain
- English vs British
- Republic vs Empire
- Colonialism vs Imperialism
- UK vs GB
- Protectorate vs Colony
- India vs England
- US vs UK
- Dynasty vs Empire
- British English vs American English
- Muslim Rule vs British Rule in India
- Scotland vs England
- King vs Emperor