| Title | The Centralized British Empire |
| Purpose | To allow the British Empire to project global power and influence more cohesively, though it also created tensions as the Dominions sought greater autonomy. |
| Description | A system of federated Dominions within the British Empire that maintained close political, economic, and military ties to the United Kingdom, with representation in the British Parliament and a voice in imperial policymaking. |
| Territories | United Kingdom • Canada • Australia • New Zealand • South Africa • India • Other colonies and protectorates |
| Time period | Early-to-mid 20th century |
Within the British Empire, the term "Dominions" referred to a system of territories that maintained close political, economic, and military integration with the United Kingdom, rather than the fully autonomous self-governing nations that emerged in our timeline.
The concept of "Dominion status" originated in the late 19th century as the British sought to better manage its rapidly expanding empire. Unlike the settler colonies that eventually became independent Dominion nations in our history, these Dominions functioned more as federated states or provinces of the greater British realm.
The key characteristics of Dominion status in this alternate timeline included:
This system aimed to create a more cohesive, centralized imperial structure compared to the gradual devolution seen in our timeline.
The largest and most influential Dominions within the British Empire included:
These territories ranged from self-governing colonies with elected legislatures to more directly administered provinces. But all played an integral role in the governance, economy, and defense of the British Empire as a whole.
The Dominion system was overseen by the Colonial Office in London, which coordinated policies and legislation across the empire. Each Dominion had its own governor-general, appointed by the Crown, who served as the local representative of the British monarch.
Dominion governments had varying degrees of autonomy in domestic affairs, but key imperial decisions were made jointly through the Imperial Conference, a periodic gathering of representatives from the Dominions and the United Kingdom. This allowed the Dominions to directly influence the empire's global strategy and policies.
Economically, the Dominions were deeply integrated through common currency, tariff policies, and free trade agreements. This facilitated the flow of goods, capital, and labor across the empire, reinforcing its status as a powerful economic bloc.
On defense and security matters, the Dominions maintained their own military forces but coordinated closely with the British armed forces. Dominion troops and resources played a critical role in major conflicts like the World Wars. The Dominions' geographic distribution also allowed the empire to project power globally.
The Dominion system persisted well into the 20th century, providing the British Empire with a more centralized and cohesive structure compared to the devolution seen in our timeline. The Dominions' political influence and economic/military clout enabled the empire to remain a dominant global force for longer.
However, tensions emerged over time as the Dominions sought greater autonomy, occasionally clashing with the British government's imperial priorities. Resolving these conflicts became an ongoing challenge for maintaining unity within the empire.
Today, the legacy of the Dominion system can still be seen in the Commonwealth of Nations, where member states maintain varying degrees of political, economic and military integration. The enduring influence of this system continues to shape global affairs, even as the British Empire's overall power and reach have diminished.
