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==Independence==

==Independence==

A major theme of the twentieth century was the decline of the worldwide empires of the previous century. [[Australia]] became independent on [[January 1]] 1901. The end of [[World War 1]] led to independence for several European countries such as [[Poland]] and [[Hungary]]. The following two decades saw independence for [[Egypt]], [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Iraq]], among others, but the Second World war weakened the colonial powers so much that they granted independence to most of their colonies. [[India]], [[Indonesia]] and [[Israel]] were among ten countries gaining independence in the 1940s, became independent first, followed by a dozen [[Africa]]n states in 1960, and nearly every remaining African and Caribbean state in the two following decades. By 1980 [[Hong Kong]] (British) was the only overseas possession with more than one million inhabitants. Finally the 1990s saw the breakup of the [[Soviet Union]] and [[Yugoslavia]] - eighteen new countries were founded in a few years after forty years of European stability.

A major theme of the twentieth century was the decline of the worldwide empires of the previous century. [[Australia]] became independent on January 1, 1901. The end of [[World War 1]] led to independence for several European countries such as [[Poland]] and [[Hungary]]. The following two decades saw independence for [[Egypt]], [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Iraq]], among others, but the Second World war weakened the colonial powers so much that they granted independence to most of their colonies. [[India]], [[Indonesia]] and [[Israel]] were among ten countries gaining independence in the 1940s, became independent first, followed by a dozen [[Africa]]n states in 1960, and nearly every remaining African and Caribbean state in the two following decades. By 1980 [[Hong Kong]] (British) was the only overseas possession with more than one million inhabitants. Finally the 1990s saw the breakup of the [[Soviet Union]] and [[Yugoslavia]] - eighteen new countries were founded in a few years after forty years of European stability.

In contrast to this wave of new nations, a few countries lost their freedom. [[Tibet]], [[Hyderabad]] and [[Montenegro]] fell to larger nations by war or politics; [[East Germany]] and [[South Yemen]] joined their larger neighbors voluntarily and peacefully.

In contrast to this wave of new nations, a few countries lost their freedom. [[Tibet]], [[Hyderabad]] and [[Montenegro]] fell to larger nations by war or politics; [[East Germany]] and [[South Yemen]] joined their larger neighbors voluntarily and peacefully.

In all, over a hundred countries had became independent by 2000.

In all, over a hundred countries had became independent by 2000.

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Centuries]]

[[Category:Centuries]]