Geopolitical changes from 1930 to 1939 Changes to the British Empire began to take place during this period. The dominions of Canada, Ireland and South Africa moved towards independence, but remained within the British Commonwealth. Germany, Italy and Japan were expanding powers, and began to annex surrounding territory or overseas possessions. They went on to form the Axis Powers in the Second World War. Africa South Africa: As part of the Statute of Westminster in 1931, the Union of
South Africa and its League of Nations mandated territory, South West Africa,
effectively gain independence from Britain.
East Africa: In 1936 the existing Italian colonies of Italian Somaliland, Eritrea
and the newly occupied Abyssinia, merge to form Italian East Africa.
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America Canada: The 1931 Statute of Westminster recognises Canadian independence
and forms the basis for later negotiations over the legal position of British
Dominions.
Nicaragua: In 1933 the US ceases to occupy Nicaragua and allows it to
function as an independent state.
Haiti: In 1934 the US ends its occupation of Haiti, allowing it to function as an
independent state again.
Asia and Australasia Manchuria: In 1931, following the Mukden incident, Japan invades and
occupies Manchuria.
Burma: The British governed Burma through their Indian colonial
administration until 1937, when it becomes a self-governing British colony.
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Phoenix Islands: In 1937 the existing British colony on the Phoenix Islands is
added to the British Crown colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands.