Statute of Westminster: Dominions Get Legislative Independence
Six countries got the right to say no to Britain. Canada had already done it — refused to automatically follow Britain into war with Turkey in 1922. Australia wanted the power but wouldn't use it for another fifteen years. South Africa immediately declared neutrality rights it would test in 1939. The Irish Free State used it to dismantle their oath to the Crown within six years. Newfoundland's independence lasted just three years before bankruptcy sent them back to British control. New Zealand didn't bother adopting the law until 1947. The empire was dead, but nobody wanted to say it out loud, so they called it a partnership instead.
December 11, 1931
95 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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