After the First World War the British Empire continued to grow. In addition to the self-governing Dominions of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, it included large tracts of Africa, Asia and parts of the Caribbean. It also included territories acquired by mandate following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, which included Iraq and Palestine.Nationalist movements developed in strength in India, Egypt and in the Arab mandated territories. In Egypt, Britain granted a degree of independence in 1922 and full independence in 1936. Iraq gained full independence in 1932.
Indian nationalism, further boosted following the 1919 Amritsar Massacre, was to remain largely frustrated until 1947, when independence was achieved.Additionally, the Dominions wished to re-define the relationship between themselves and Britain. The 1931 Statue of Westminster established that the Dominions and the Irish Free State had formal legislative independence from Britain. The resultant relationship is sometimes thought to have been a precursor to the post-war British Commonwealth.
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