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Imperial Frameworks

A Scholarly Examination of British Protectorates and Protected States.

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Defining Protectorates

British Protectorates

British protectorates constituted territories under the jurisdiction of the British government. Many of these regions already possessed local rulers with whom the Crown negotiated treaties. These agreements acknowledged the rulers' existing status while formally offering British protection. Consequently, British protectorates were primarily governed through indirect rule. Crucially, in most instances, the local ruler and their subjects were not considered British subjects.

Protected States

British protected states represented a more attenuated form of British suzerainty. In these arrangements, local rulers maintained absolute authority over their states' internal affairs. British control was limited to matters of defence and foreign affairs. This distinction highlights a spectrum of British influence, ranging from direct jurisdiction to a more supervisory role.

Establishment and Governance

Treaty-Based Protection

The establishment of British protectorates often involved formal treaties with existing local rulers. For example, when Britain occupied Cephalonia in 1809, they presented themselves not as conquerors but as allies offering protection. Following the Napoleonic Wars, the Ionian Islands were constituted as the independent United States of the Ionian Islands under British protection by the Treaty of Paris (1815), rather than being formally annexed.

Diverse Applications

This model of indirect rule extended across various regions. The princely states of India exemplify this approach during the British Empire's tenure. Similarly, numerous holdings in West Africa operated under similar arrangements. In the Pacific, the Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati) and the Ellice Islands (now Tuvalu) were declared British Protectorates in 1892. The Solomon Islands also saw parts declared a protectorate in 1893.

Administrative Oversight

Most British protectorates were overseen by a Commissioner or a High Commissioner, typically operating under the Foreign Office, rather than a Governor appointed by the Colonial Office. This administrative structure underscored the distinction between direct colonial rule and the more indirect approach characteristic of protectorates and protected states.

Historical Manifestations

Ionian Islands & Malta

The Ionian Islands, after their occupation in 1809, were established as the United States of the Ionian Islands under British protection in 1815. Malta, similarly, was a British protectorate from 1800 until 1814, after which it transitioned to Crown Colony status.

Princely States of India

The numerous princely states within British India represent a significant application of indirect rule. While under the overarching suzerainty of the British Crown, these states retained considerable internal autonomy, with British influence primarily focused on foreign policy and defence.

Global Reach

The concept was applied globally. In Africa, territories like Bechuanaland, British Somaliland, Kenya (East Africa Protectorate), Nigeria, Northern Rhodesia, and Uganda became protectorates. In Asia, the Sultanate of Maldives and the Kingdom of Sikkim were notable examples. These diverse territories illustrate the widespread application of the protectorate model across the British Empire.

Catalog of Territories

A comprehensive overview of territories that were formerly British protectorates or protected states.

Americas

  • Mosquito Coast (1638โ€“1860)
  • Barbados (1627โ€“1652)

Arab World

  • Aden Protectorate (1872โ€“1963)
  • Sultanate of Egypt (1914โ€“1922)
  • Anglo-Egyptian Sudan (1899โ€“1956)

Within the Aden Protectorate and its successor, the Protectorate of South Arabia:

  • Kathiri
  • Mahra
  • Qu'aiti
  • Upper Yafa (incl. Al-Busi, Al-Dhubi, Hadrami, Maflahi, Mawsata)
  • Hawra
  • Irqa
  • Wahidi Sultanates (Balhaf, Azzan, Bir Ali, Habban)
  • Beihan
  • Dhala and Qutaibi
  • Fadhli
  • Lahej
  • Lower Yafa
  • Audhali
  • Haushabi
  • Upper Aulaqi Sheikhdom
  • Upper Aulaqi Sultanate
  • Lower Aulaqi
  • Alawi
  • Aqrabi
  • Dathina
  • Shaib

Asia

  • Sultanate of Maldives (1887โ€“1965)
  • Kingdom of Sikkim (1861โ€“1947)
  • Manipur Kingdom (1826โ€“1891)
  • North Borneo (1888โ€“1946)
  • Federated Malay States (1895โ€“1946)
  • Unfederated Malay States (1904/09โ€“1946)
  • Tonga (1900โ€“1970)
  • Kingdom of Sarawak (1888โ€“1946)

Federated Malay States:

  • Negeri Sembilan (1888โ€“1895)
  • Pahang (1888โ€“1895)
  • Perak (1874โ€“1895)
  • Selangor (1874โ€“1895)

Unfederated Malay States:

  • Johor (1914โ€“1946)
  • Kedah (1909โ€“1946)
  • Kelantan (1909โ€“1946)
  • Perlis (1909โ€“1946)
  • Terengganu (1919โ€“1946)

Europe

  • British Cyprus (1871โ€“1914)
  • Malta Protectorate (1800โ€“1813)
  • Ionian Islands (1815โ€“1864)

Sub-Saharan Africa

  • Barotseland Protectorate (1900โ€“1964)
  • Bechuanaland Protectorate (1885โ€“1966)
  • British Somaliland (1884โ€“1960)
  • East Africa Protectorate (1895โ€“1920)
  • Gambia Colony and Protectorate* (1894โ€“1965)
  • Kenya Protectorate* (1920โ€“1963)
  • Nigeria* (1914-1960)
  • Northern Nigeria Protectorate (1900โ€“1914)
  • Northern Rhodesia (1924โ€“1964)
  • Northern Territories of the Gold Coast (1901โ€“1957)
  • Nyasaland Protectorate (1893โ€“1964)
  • Sierra Leone Protectorate* (1896โ€“1961)
  • Southern Nigeria Protectorate (1900โ€“1914)
  • Swaziland (1903โ€“1968)
  • Uganda Protectorate (1894โ€“1962)
  • Walvis Bay (1878โ€“1884)
  • Sultanate of Zanzibar (1890โ€“1963)

Oceania

  • Territory of Papua (1884โ€“1888)
  • British Solomon Islands (1893โ€“1978)
  • Cook Islands (1888โ€“1901)
  • Gilbert and Ellice Islands (1892โ€“1916)
  • Niue (1900โ€“1901)
  • Tokelau (1877โ€“1947)

Protected States

These states retained greater internal autonomy, with Britain managing defence and foreign affairs.

  • Emirate of Afghanistan (1879โ€“1919)
  • Brunei (1888โ€“1984)
  • Bhutan (1910โ€“1947)
  • Emirate of Nejd (1915-1921)
  • Sultanate of Nejd (1921-1926)
  • Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd (1926-1927)
  • Kingdom of Nepal (1816โ€“1923)
  • Kingdom of Egypt (1922โ€“1936)
  • Federation of Malaya (1948โ€“1957)
  • Trucial States (1820โ€“1971)
  • Muscat and Oman (1891โ€“1970)
  • Abu Dhabi (1820โ€“1971)
  • Ajman (1820โ€“1971)
  • Dubai (1835โ€“1971)
  • Fujairah (1952โ€“1971)
  • Ras Al Khaimah (1820โ€“1971)
  • Sharjah (1820โ€“1971) (incl. Kalba 1936โ€“1951)
  • Umm Al-Qaiwain (1820โ€“1971)

The End of an Era

Dissolution

The era of British protectorates and protected states gradually concluded with the decolonization movements of the 20th century. The last British protectorate proper was the British Solomon Islands, which gained independence in 1978. Brunei, the final British protected state, achieved full independence in 1984, marking the definitive end of this form of imperial administration.

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References

References

  1.  Onley, The Raj Reconsidered (2009), pp.ย 50รขย€ย“51.
  2.  Adiele Eberechukwu Afigbo, The Warrant Chiefs: indirect rule in southeastern Nigeria, 1891รขย€ย“1929 (London: Longman, 1972)
  3.  Commonwealth and Colonial Law by Kenneth Roberts-Wray, London, Stevens, 1966. P. 897
A full list of references for this article are available at the British protectorate Wikipedia page

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Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice

This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence, drawing upon information from publicly available sources, primarily Wikipedia. It is intended for academic and educational purposes, providing a structured overview of British protectorates and protected states.

This is not professional historical advice. The content reflects a snapshot of data and may not encompass all nuances or the most current historical interpretations. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy based on the provided source, users are encouraged to consult primary sources and scholarly works for in-depth research and definitive understanding.

The creators of this resource are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented herein. Historical context is complex, and this AI-generated overview serves as a foundational educational tool.