ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Changes in British sovereignty

Okay kiddo, let's talk about changes in British sovereignty.

Sovereignty means having control over a country and making decisions on how it is run. In the past, the British had control over many places around the world, including India, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. They were called British colonies, and the British government made all the important decisions for these places.

But over time, people in these colonies started to want more control over their own countries. They didn't want the British government to make all the decisions for them. So, in the 1900s, many of these colonies started to gain more and more control over their own affairs. This was called decolonization.

Decolonization meant that these places became more independent from British rule. For example, India became independent from British rule in 1947. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand became independent earlier, in the 1900s. This meant that they were able to make their own laws and have their own government.

Today, the British still have control over some places, like Bermuda and the Falkland Islands. But many places, like India, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, have their own government and make their own decisions. This means that British sovereignty has changed over time, and many former colonies are now independent countries.