Why Do Lots Of Countrys Have A Union Jack At The Top Of Their Own Flag?

Question

Do they worship britain or something?

Answer 1

About a hundred or so years ago many countries belonged to the British Empire, such as Australia, India etc.

Then at some point in the last century this Empire collapsed and the became their own country. However many belong to the Commonwealth, which the Queen is the head of, therefore some countries (not all) have the union jack in the corner. Oh, and there is the Commonwealth Games which are played every four for just those in the Commonwealth.

I think before the 2 world wars Britain use to be the most powerful nation in the world. :D

Answer 2

Former or current British Colonies.

I don't think any countries 'worship' the Queen. LMAO

Answer 3

Minor correction first, the flag of the UK is called the Union Flag. (It is only called the Union Jack when it is flown on the Jack staff of a ship).

Ok the answer:

They are all members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

However not all the members of the Commonwealth have the Queen as their head of state (South Africa, India, Pakistan and Malta for example) but have historical ties to the UK. The only exception to this is Mozambique which was a territory of Portugal but joined the Commonwealth at the same time as South Africa were re-admitted in the early 1990s.

Countries which have the Union Flag in the top left of their flag are those who still have the Queen as their head of state. I think the only exceptions to this are Canada who adopted the current flag in 1965, the Caribbean countries who changed their flags after the end of direct British rule in the 1960s and some African members again who changed their flag after then end of direct British rule.

British territories such as Gibraltar have their own flag used along side the Union Flag.

Answer 4

Not all British Commonwealth member nations have the Union Jack in their flag. There are many, such as Bahamas, Nigeria and Singapore, who don't use it.

The Union Jack tends to appear on the flags of countries with a particular attachment to Britain, such as former convict colonies like Australia.

Answer 5

Did you not do history? Most of the people who went there were British or from countries that were part of Britain once, and they still have a similar culture. Are you being sarcastic because you hate the fact they don't want to ruin their culture? Many people hate it that some people want to keep their culture so are nasty to them.

You probably want them to drop their symbols so they don't belong to any culture.

Answer 6

Most of the above take note: The Commonwealth still exists and it comprises of some 70 or so nations. There are the Commonwealth Games every 4 years, such as the Olympic's format.

The old name was the British Empire. In those days the Commonwealth Games were called the Empire Games.

Countries such as Australia still have the Union Flag on their flag because they used to be part of the British Empire and it is to recognise their British heritage. Whether it should be there or not is another debate.

Answer 7

the queen is head of state

Answer 8

some because of the commonwealth and some because of the british colonies, kind of like the thirteen stripes in the american flag that represent the thirteen british colonies.

Answer 9

Everyone has already answered correctly, but i though I'd just add that the maple leaf Canadian flag was only officially adopted in the 1960's, before that it had a union flag in the corner similar to Australia today. And just so you know, no country worships britain, and no one worships the Queen!  

Answer 10

The Blue Ensign (a blue flag with the Union Jack in the corner) was the flag of the British Navy, and is still used on many vessels.  This flag was adapted by various countries that become colonies following visits by the British Navy, and is still used in former British colonial nations such as Australia and New Zealand.

On gaining independence, many countries dropped the union jack and replaced it with a flag of their own.  Recent examples are Canada, South Africa (with its former mix of British and Dutch flags), Zimbabwe and Hong Kong when it became an autonomous province of China in 1997.

New Zealand has so far not wished to do this  Australia has often talked about replacing their flag, but so far have not come to any agreement.  The Aborigines in Australia have adopted black over red (representing the sky over the desert) with a yellow disc in the middle (representing the sun).

What will be interesting is what happens after the next general election in the UK.  It seems likely that in England and Wales, the Conservatives should win by a landslide, but in Scotland, the Nationalists are likely to replace Labour as the main party. They have pledged a referendum for Scottish Independence, and it is quite likely that Scotland will vote to leave the UK.  The flag must then change, removing the cross of St Andrew (and all the blue parts of the Union Flag - "Jack" is the term used for the naval flag) and this must rebound on all those countries still using this emblem as their national flag - do they use an emblem for a country that no longer exist, do they show loyalty to England, or Scotland, or use the opportunity finally to adopt their own flag?

Answer 11

Because we used to rule em.

Bring back the empire I say . .

=)

Answer 12

They are former British colonies

Answer 13

they used to be part of the commonwealth or british colonies

Answer 14

Beacuse our Queen is also the head of Commonwealth of their countries.

Answer 15

My poor heart bleeds for the educational system of this country.

Its not a Union Jack, its a Union flag.

Ask you tutor to explain

Answer 16

Britain invaded, used to own the Country, or colonized there....they were or are part of the 'Commonwealth'

Answer 17

because they are under British rule or were under British rule  

Answer 18

It's less about former British rule than the desire of the country to acknowledge their shared heritage with the UK. No one makes them display the Union Jack- they do it out of choice to show their appreciation of their heritage. If you want to be pedantic it's the union flag but in everyday usage it's referred to as the Union Jack.

Edit- Elmbeard you make some good points but I have to tell you up here in Scotland we've already kicked out Labour and have an SNP government. I don't think a referendum is on the agenda- yet.

Answer 19

as above

Answer 20

Britain ruled 80% of the world 200 years ago hence Those are countries which were part of britains large Empire . Few have gained independence hence theyve changed their flag but others prefer to keep the union jack in their flags as they see it as part of their heritage.

Answer 21

Because britain used to rule the world, then the Germans ruined it for us with the war. Now its Americas turn. Wonder whos next, hmmmmmmmm      mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Answer 22

Its only a jack when its being flown from a ship.

Answer 23

They used to be in the commonwealth.