What is a Commonwealth?

Founded in 1949, the Commonwealth refers to one of the oldest political associations of states. The roots of this union trade back to the native British Empire when some states were entirely ruled by Britain. Besides, some of these countries progressively became self-governed while they retained Britains monarch as the leader of nation. They created the British Commonwealth of Nations. Since its founding, the foundation has accepted various states and continents including Africa, Asia, Europe, as well as the Pacific Ocean. Membership is often based on equal as well as free voluntary cooperation. As such, the recent two states to join the Commonwealth are such as Rwanda and Mozambique. However, they don't have any historical ties with the British.

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What are Some Commonwealths?

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa is a trading platform that has one member states stretching between Tunisia and Eswatini. Founded in 1994, the organization has since replaced the Preferential Trade Area which has been in existence since 1981. Over the years, nine member states established a trade free area. These states are such as Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, and Sudan. Other countries would later join the organization in 2004. They include Comoros and Libya. COMESA is the backbone of economic growth in Africa. In 2008, the foundation agreed to form an expanded trade-free zonal area that included two trading blocs namely the Southern Africa Development as well as the Eastern African Community. 

Australia The Commonwealth remains to be one of the universe's oldest political associations of states. It traces its roots back to the British Empire when Britain ruled most countries. Over the years, some of these states became self-governing. In 1891, the Commonwealth was incorporated with Australia as its co-founding member. As such, Commonwealth was generated from the Federation of six colonies from Australia. These states held a meeting in Sydney to discuss a way forward in regards to the adoption of the organization. The process was met by some republicanism thereby making it seem controversial. The idea was upheld in subsequent drafts of the same constitution. 

The Bahamas The Commonwealth of the Bahamas refers to a coral archipelago that occurred across the 700 islands of the Bahamas as well as more than 2,000 rocks and cays found in the West Atlantic and South-East of the Coast of Florida. 

Dominica The Commonwealth of Dominica refers to an island country situated in the West Indies. Its Capital, Roseau, is located in the western area of the island. It is part of the Windward Islands found in the archipelago of the Lesser Antilles. Dominica is one of the few republics in the Caribbean.

Certain U.S. States and Territories

The Commonwealth of Nations is associated with 53 sovereign states. Almost all of them are colonies. Being an international organization where countries have diverse social as well as economic backgrounds, the Commonwealth has outlined its goals in every portfolio. In the United States, four main countries have taken up special tags as commonwealths. They are: Virginia officially known as the Commonwealth of Virginia, this is a state situated in the Southeastern as well as the Mid-Atlantic regions of the US. Virginia was named the Old Dominion because of its economic status as the leading English colonial possession founded in North America. The capital of this city is Richmond which is a populous city. Kentucky- Officially called the Commonwealth of Kentucky, this state is situated in the east and south central region of the United States of America. Even though it is often referred to as the State of Kentucky when dealing with matters of law, this is one of the four prominent states of the Commonwealth. Massachusetts- From 1780, the words State of Massachusetts Bay was often used to refer to the top acts of conflict resolution. In 1780, the Massachusetts Constitution was affected. Therefore, Part Two of the entire Constitution was termed the Frame Government. It stated that the people from themselves by becoming a free sovereign as well as an independent body named The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Pennsylvania- the Seal of Pennsylvania doesn't use the term. But, legal processes are in the Commonwealth, as a traditional official designation utilized to refer to the state. In 1776, the first state constitution of Pennsylvania related to it as a Commonwealth as well as State. The pattern usage was perpetuated in different laws such as the 1838 and 1958.

Territories

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico - On July 4, President Harry S. Truman signed the Public Act 600, which paved the way for Puerto Ricans to write their own constitution thereby creating the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. As such, the US has conferred Commonwealth status on Puerto Rico thus upgrading Puerto Rico's political and economic status to the commonwealth. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands - The Northern Mariana Islands is officially known as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The area is an insular geographical location and commonwealth of the United States of America. It consists of 14 islands in the Pacific Ocean including a separate U.S. territory.

Commonwealth of Nations

As the British Empire started its process of decolonization as well as the creation of various independent states from British colonies, there arose the need for an organization of countries as part of the Empire. The Commonwealth of Nations was created in 1931, and later on, 53 independent states came together to form colonies. The foundation was established under the Statute of Westminster with five members initially. These were the United Kingdom, the Union of South Africa, the Irish Free State, and Newfoundland.

Commonwealth of Independent States

In 1991, the Commonwealth of Independent States was formed immediately after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. As such, meetings were held periodically on a constantly rotating basis at the convention of the CIS country capitals. A convention was also held in Sochi Russia to discuss the basis of various meetings such as the Council of Heads of State and the Council of Prime Ministers. Following its foundation, members of the union adopted the Alma-Ata Declaration that confirmed the promise of the former republics to cooperate in different fields of external as well as internal policies. It was announced that there would be guarantees of the implementation of the civil commitments of the former Soviet Union.