h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Are there any?

Is it always a bad thing for a government when a part of their country wants to break away, or to return to a 'pre-union' state?

It seems to me that the usual way independance is sought is through war, terrorism (involving 'freedom fighters'), or at the very least, a very long arduous political struggle.(Scotland's current 'fight' for independance).

Are there any governments that have just said " you want independance, er.. ok, when would suit- next year?, a week on thursday?"

I wouldn't have thought unions are always stronger- there must be circumstances where a small part of a country takes more, than it gives to the whole, and the government would be glad to let it struggle on its own.

Just wondered, that's all

I assume you mean "countries" rather than "counties"

The obvious example is Canada: A53443

But then Canada set the example for most of the Commonwealth. Actually, I suspect one would find that most countries gained independance without war.

(I don't know about counties.)

Most of the countries in the old British Empire went their separate ways without war. In some cases yes there was violence and civil unrest prior to gaining that independence, but there were no all out civil wars.

The British recognised that the game was up during World War 2 and from that point in time independence was granted once each country could demonstrate that it could stand on its own two feet.

er, yes 'countries', ahem.

Mind you, i believe that there are some very small parts of England that are looking for independance. We may one day end up with a United States of Britain. USB... doesn't that mean something else

Anyway, thanks for the replies. Curiosity satiated. I suppose it's just the ones that involve wars, that most people know of...

Do you mean directly or indirectly? Because I suppose the French and Indian war opened Canada up to independance, once the French were gone, and the British empire sort of... crumbled.

But I don't really know what I'm talking about.

I'm happy to report though, none of the Counties in Ohio are independant

I can't think of any, as for counties then don't forget the Cornish who are looking for independance. They may even get it, as a tourism boost, no reason other than that though.

The most recent example I know of is Slovakia. If only every "national question" could be handled that way.

Noggin

Don't think you can argue the French and Indian War led to Canadian independence. Surely it led to Canada becoming a British colony?

New Zealand independance was gained in a very long drawn out peaceful way. NZ decleared independance prior to becomming a dominion, to avoid French dominion.

I think the'old' countries of the British Empire gained independance without violence, but by 'old' we mean white settled. The countries that Britain conquered and ruled mostly had to resort to uprising - for example the Mau Mau in Kenya. India gained independance as part of a deal done for their support in WW2, otherwise I don't think The Raj were in much of a mood to leave. Similarly Arab support in WW1.

Singapore seceded from the union of Malaysia in about 1965 or so without war/long term struggle etc..seems to have been a mainly economic thing.

Actually I was a young airman serving at RAF Tengah in Singapore at the time and remember that we were confined to the station for a few days but nothing really untoward happened as far as I can recall.

I think Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia seceded from the Soviet Union without violent struggle. I vaguely remember that one was threatened, but the USSR backed down when they realised the Baltic states were serious.

I think that Solvakia broke away from the Czech republic without violence.

Post 7, Z!