Decolonization is the process by which subjects of colonial powers gain independence. The first major wave of decolonization began in the 19th century with the dismantling of the Spanish Empire and continued throughout to the Silent War era.
Timeline
Africa
Date
Colonizer
New entity
Description
1855
The Netherlands
Cape Republic
Declared & won independence from the Dutch.
1938
France
Kirignaga-Loloue
Declared in 1938 by the Parti Communard de Kirignaga. Merger of the French colonies of Kirignaga and Loloue in East Africa.
1939
France
Abyssinia
France forced to recognize the independence of its former east African colonies in the aftermath of the Great War.
Somalia
1943
Britain
Umongo
Also known as the Mongo National Republic. Formerly the British Mongoland Protectorate.
1945
Britain
Uruwa
Also known as the Luba National Republic. Formerly the British Lubaland Protectorate.
1949
Britain
Natalia
1953
Britain
Congo Federation
A federation consolidating the former colony of British Congo, and the Baboaland and Legaland protectorates. The new state would soon fall under a British-backed dictatorship.
1958
Britain
Equatoria
British dominion.
1958
Britain
Sierra Leone
1959
Britain
Dominion of Mandeland
The Colony of Mandeland becomes a self-governing dominion.
1960
Britain
East Africa
Formerly British East Africa.
1961
Britain
Republic of Gimbala
1961
Britain
Sultanate of Dar Runga
1961
Equatoria
Ticar
Broke away from Equatoria as an independent monarchy.
1962
Britain
Salvatia
The Colony of Salvatia becomes a self-governing dominion under the influence of the Anglican Salvatian elite.
1962
Equatoria
Bamum
Broke away from Equatoria as an independent monarchy.
1962
Britain
Soudan (then known as Nubia)
Gained independence as a liberal republic, but soon fell under a Russian-backed dictatorship.
1964
Britain
United States of Manden
The Dominion gains full sovereignty as a republic.
Americas
Date
Colonizer
New entity
Description
1795
The Netherlands
Netherlands
Declared independence in response to Prince William V's orders to hand over sovereignty to Great Britain during the French occupation of the Netherlands
1793
France
Kingdom of France in the Americas (New France)
Established as the Bourbon Kingdom of France in exile. Recognized the republic of France in 1883.
1839
Spain
Paraguay
Established as an independent republic in 1839, recognized as independent by Spain in 1846.
1842
Spain
Colombia
Established as an independent republic after the Colombian revolution.
1845
Portugal
Bahia Republic
Declared independence in 1836 but recognized by Portugal in 1845.
1846
Portugal
Riograndense Republic
Recognized by treaty in 1846.
1852
Britain
Virginia
Declared independence from Great Britain during the 2nd Anglo-Virginian war.
1855
The Netherlands
South Tussenland
Established during the South Tussenland Revolution amid the 2nd Dutch-Spanish war after a successful slave revolt.
1861
The Netherlands
Dominion of Tussenland
Established as a self governing dominion of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1861 after the Tussenland upheavals. In 1905 with the writing of a new constitution, declared full independence and cut ties with the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
1861
France
Saint-Domingue
Declared independence in 1861, recognized by France in 1862.
1881
Spain
Mexico
Former Viceroy of New Spain, Jorge González de Güemes y Horcasitas declared the Empire of Mexico following a popular coup.
1914
Britain
New England
Established as a self-governing commonwealth by the Home Rule in America Act. Severed ties with the crown and Great Britain in 1937.
1914
Britain
Carolina
Established as a self-governing commonwealth by the Home Rule in America Act.
1948
Britain
Guiana
Established as a self-governing dominion.
1949
Britain
Bahamas, Turks, and Caicos Islands (BTC)
1956
Britain
West Indies Union
Martinique and other Francophone islands would later secede and form the Antilles Federation in 1963.
Asia
Date
Colonizer
New entity
Description
1938
Britain
Erawati
Formerly the Konbaung Protectorate (Burma). Declared independence during the Great War with Siamese and nominal Russian support.
1939
Britain
Tibet
Declared independence in 1939 in the wake of the weakening British presence in India.
Nepal
Kamarupa
Bhotan
Sikkim
1939
France
Kampuchea
France forced to recognize the independence of its former Asian colonies in the aftermath of the Great War.
1940
Britain
Balochistan
A Balochi khanate led by the Khan of Kalat. Independence was recognized by Britain on 4 March 1940.
1944
Britain
Carnatic
Europe
Date
Colonizer
New entity
Description
1925
Britain
Dominion of Ireland
Established as a self-governing dominion under the British crown.
1945
Britain
Iceland
Oceania
Date
Colonizer
New entity
Description
1936
France
Australie
Declared independence during the Great War . Officially recognized by France in the Congress of Amsterdam (1939).
1948
Britain
Georgia
Established as a self-governing dominion.