A dominion , word of English origin, indicates a State independent and sovereign, member of the Commonwealth, the such Canada, the Australia, the New Zealand, etc the dominions were before British colonies which obeyed directly in the United Kingdom or which could be partly managed. It was about an administration " parallèle".

Colony, province and dominion

Three terms strongly used, which carry to confusion. These three terms were and are always everyday usage while speaking about empires and States expanding, in particular the the United Kingdom and the France.

Colony

A colony is a territory not populated by the dominant entity (for example Canada with respect to the United Kingdom was populated of French) which is “to assimilate”. In other words, the United Kingdom endeavoured to populate as much as possible its colonies of British citizens of origin, either by colonizing the people (by inculcating British manners in the buildings), or by moving some of its own citizens in the colonies in order to establish there a majority class originating in the dominant entity (the United Kingdom). It should be noted that it is necessary to make the difference between a colony-counter and a Colonie in settlement.

Province

A Province - term employed when it indicates a territory within an empire is a distinct territory within a greater dominant entity. The image easiest to extrapolate would be to say that the Finland was province of the Russia a long time. A State of conquered territory, having distinct characteristics, relayed its Souveraineté with the dominant entity. The United Kingdom particularly used these statutes for the European territories conquered at the time being located between the Post-rebirth and the Industrial revolution.

Dominion

A British dominion means that territory can deal itself of its finances, its interior policy (besides some “basic ethical rules” imposed by the dominant entity) and with its trade (here also except for the requirements of the metropolis). However, this territory can in no case manage its international policy. It is entitled lastly to an armed force referring to the dominant entity, therefore, for example, the Canadian army was integral part of the British army until in 1917.

The Canada was the first British possession to acquire the statute of dominion, on July 1st 1867 (today national feastday). It was followed by the Australia (on January 1st 1901), the New Zealand (the September 26th 1907), the South African Union (in 1910, today the South Africa) and Newfoundland (1919).

The French install Protectorat S instead of this administrative structure.

See too

• Time of Colonizations
• British Empire
• Colony

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