1911 Imperial Conference facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 1911 Imperial Conference |
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| Host country |  United Kingdom |
| Dates | 23 May 1911– 20 June 1911 |
| Cities | London |
| Heads of Government | 6 |
| Chair | H. H. Asquith (Prime Minister) |
| Follows | 1907 |
| Precedes | Imperial War Conferences (1917–1918) |
| Key points | |
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Imperial constitutional arrangements, Imperial Federation, international relations and treaties
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The 1911 Imperial Conference was a big meeting held in London, England. It took place from May 23 to June 20, 1911. Leaders from different parts of the British Empire came together.
This conference happened just before the coronation of King George V. It was a chance for leaders to talk about how the Empire should work. They discussed important issues like how countries in the Empire would make decisions together. They also talked about how they would handle agreements with other nations.
Contents
What Was Discussed at the Conference?
Leaders at the conference talked about many important things. They wanted to make sure all parts of the British Empire worked well together.
Working Together in the Empire
- Sir Joseph Ward, the prime minister of New Zealand, had some ideas.
- He suggested creating a special council. This council would have representatives from the "dominions."
- Dominions were countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. They were self-governing but still part of the British Empire.
- Ward thought this council could advise the British government. It would help with big decisions for the whole Empire.
- He even suggested an "Imperial Parliament." This would be a parliament for the entire Empire. It would handle foreign policy, like deciding on wars.
Britain's View on Decisions
- The British prime minister, H. H. Asquith, did not agree with all of Ward's ideas.
- He felt that an Imperial Parliament would take away Britain's power. Britain wanted to make its own foreign policy decisions.
- However, Asquith did agree that it was important to talk with the dominion leaders.
- He suggested a group to discuss foreign affairs. But the leaders could not agree on how this group would work.
Agreements with Other Countries
- The conference also made agreements about treaties. Treaties are formal agreements between countries.
- They decided that if a treaty affected a dominion, Britain would talk to that dominion first.
- Britain also agreed to ask the dominions for their ideas. This would happen before big international peace conferences.
- Future peace treaties would be shared with the dominions. They would get to comment before Britain signed them.
Protecting the Empire
- Australia was worried about Japan's growing navy.
- It was agreed that Britain would talk to Australia. This would happen when renewing the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. This alliance was a special agreement between Britain and Japan.
- Britain also agreed to talk with South Africa. This was about Germany's plans in Africa.
Who Attended the Conference?
The conference was hosted by King-Emperor George V. Many important leaders from across the British Empire attended. These included prime ministers and members of their governments.
See also
- Imperial Conference
