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Decolonisation of Asia facts for kids

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The decolonisation of Asia was a big change where countries in Asia slowly gained their freedom. They broke away from the control of foreign powers, mostly European ones. This led to many new independent nations being formed across the region.

How Asia Became Independent

European Powers Arrive in Asia

For a long time, European countries like Netherlands, France, and England had a lot of power in Asia. They took over many places after Spain and Portugal became less powerful in the 1600s.

  • Portugal's Remaining Lands: Portugal kept only a few colonies like Portuguese India, Macau, and Timor.
  • Dutch Control: By the late 1600s, the Dutch had taken over many old Portuguese areas. They had a strong presence in what is now Indonesia, including places like Jakarta. They also traded with Siam (now Thailand), Japan, China, and Bengal.
  • British Expansion: The British competed with other European powers from the early 1600s. By the mid-1800s, they controlled a large part of India through the British East India Company. They also ruled Burma, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Malaya, and Singapore. After a big rebellion in India in 1857, Queen Victoria became the Empress of India, making British rule even stronger. Their last big gain in Asia was the New Territories of Hong Kong in 1897.
  • French Influence: The French didn't have much success in India against the British. But they did keep some small areas on India's east coast. Their most important colony was French Indochina, which they took over in 1862. This area included what we now know as Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Japan and the United States Join In

It wasn't just European powers. Other countries also started to expand their influence in Asia.

  • Japan's Colonies: Japan took its first colony, the island of Taiwan, in 1874. They officially gained control of it in 1894. Japan continued to expand by taking over Korea in 1910.
  • United States in Asia: The United States arrived in Asia in 1898 during the Spanish–American War. They took the Philippines as their only colony after a battle in the capital and a treaty with Spain.

Asia After World War II

After World War II ended in 1945, many Asian countries started to gain their independence. Here's a look at some of them and when they became free:

Countries Gaining Independence

This table shows when different countries in Asia gained their freedom.

Country Date of Independence How They Gained Freedom
Afghanistan 1919 The Treaty of Rawalpindi ended British control over Afghanistan's foreign policy.
Bahrain 15 August 1971 Treaties with the United Kingdom ended.
Bangladesh 26 March 1971 Declared independence from Pakistan.
Brunei 1 January 1984 Brunei became independent after an agreement with the British.
Cambodia 9 September 1953 France granted Cambodia independence.
26 September 1989 Became free from Vietnamese occupation.
Taiwan 1 January 1912 The Republic of China declared its independence.
China 7 December 1949 The Chinese Communist Party won against the Kuomintang, which then moved to Taiwan.
India 15 August 1947 Gained independence from the British Empire.
Indonesia 27 December 1949 Became independent from the Kingdom of the Netherlands after declaring independence on August 17, 1945.
Iraq 3 October 1932 Became the Kingdom of Iraq.
Israel 14 May 1948 When the British Mandate ended, Jews declared independence, forming the State of Israel.
Jordan 25 May 1946 The British Mandate for Palestine ended.
Kuwait 1752 The Sheikhdom of Kuwait was established.
Kyrgyzstan 31 August 1991 Gained independence from the Soviet Union.
Laos 22 October 1953 Gained independence from France.
Lebanon 26 November 1941 Independence from France was declared.
22 November 1943 Independence from France was officially recognized.
Malaysia 31 August 1957 Malayan independence from the United Kingdom was declared.
16 September 1963 Malaysia was formed by joining North Borneo, Sarawak, Singapore, and the existing states of Malaya.
Maldives 26 July 1965 Gained independence from the United Kingdom.
Mongolia 29 December 1911 Declared independence from the Qing dynasty.
Myanmar 4 January 1948 Myanmar (Burma) declared independence from the British Empire.
Oman 26 January 1650 The Portuguese Army was expelled from Oman.
Pakistan 14 August 1947 Gained independence from British India during the Partition of India.
Palestine 15 November 1988 Palestinian Declaration of Independence.
Philippines 12 June 1898 Filipino revolutionaries declared independence from Spain, but Spain later gave the country to the United States.
4 July 1946 The United States recognized Philippine independence.
Qatar 18 December 1878 Gained independence from the Ottoman Empire.
Saudi Arabia 1744 The First Saudi State was established.
Singapore 3 June 1959 Became self-governing under the United Kingdom.
9 August 1965 Malaysia separated Singapore from its federation, making Singapore an independent state.
Sri Lanka 4 February 1948 Gained independence from the United Kingdom.
Syria 28 September 1961 The United Arab Republic ended.
Tajikistan 9 September 1991 Gained independence from the Soviet Union.
Thailand 6 November 1767 King Taksin reunified Thailand and fought off invasions.
Timor-Leste 28 November 1975 East Timor declared independence but was then taken over by Indonesia.
20 May 2002 Independence was recognized by the world after a UN-supported vote in 1999.
Turkmenistan 27 October 1991 Gained independence from the Soviet Union.
United Arab Emirates 2 December 1971 The treaty relationship with the United Kingdom ended.
Uzbekistan 31 August 1991 Declared independence from the Soviet Union.
Yemen 1 November 1918 Independence of North Yemen from the Turkish Empire.
30 November 1967 Independence of South Yemen from the United Kingdom.

British Colonies and Protectorates

Many countries in Asia were once under British control, either as colonies or protectorates. Here's a list of some of them and when they gained their freedom.

Country Pre-independence
name
(if different)		 Date Year of
independence
or first stage		 Notes
Afghanistan Northern Persia 19 August 1919 The Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 was signed.
Bahrain 15 August 1971
Brunei 1 January 1984
Cyprus 16 August 1960 Cyprus Independence Day is usually celebrated on October 1st.
Egypt 28 February 1922 Britain kept control over the Suez Canal Zone until 1952.
India British India 15 August 1947 Independence Day (India)
Iraq 3 October 1932
Israel Mandatory Palestine 14 May 1948 The British mandate ended. Independence Day (Israel). Palestine declared independence from Israel on November 15, 1988.
Jordan Transjordan 25 May 1946
Kuwait 19 June 1961
Malaysia Malaya, North Borneo, Singapore, Sarawak 31 August 1957 The Federation of Malaya became independent. North Borneo (now Sabah), Sarawak, and Singapore joined Malaysia on September 16, 1963. Singapore later left Malaysia on August 9, 1965.
Maldives 26 July 1965
Myanmar British Burma 4 January 1948 Gained independence as Burma. Its name was changed to Myanmar in 1989.
Oman Sultanate of Muscat and Oman 20 December 1951
Pakistan British India 14 August 1947 Part of the Partition of India. Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan on March 26, 1971.
Qatar British Qatari Protectorate 3 September 1971
Singapore 3 June 1959 Became self-governing on June 3, 1959, and gained independence from Malaysia on August 9, 1965.
Sri Lanka Ceylon 4 February 1948 Gained independence as the Dominion of Ceylon. Renamed Sri Lanka in 1972.
United Arab Emirates Trucial States 2 December 1971 National Day (United Arab Emirates)
Yemen Protectorate of South Arabia, Federation of South Arabia 30 November 1967 South Yemen 1967

Japanese Colonies and Occupied Areas

Japan also had its own colonial empire and occupied many areas during World War II. Here are some of the territories it controlled:

Territory Dates of Control Notes
South Sakhalin 1905-1945
Mainland China 1931–1945 Included areas like Manchukuo, Shanghai, and Beijing.
Korea 1910-1945 Both North and South Korea.
Taiwan 1895-1945
Hong Kong 12 December 1941 – 15 August 1945 Under Japanese occupation during World War II.
Vietnam 15 July 1940 – 29 August 1945 As part of French Indochina.
Cambodia 15 July 1940 – 29 August 1945 As part of French Indochina.
Laos 15 July 1940 – 29 August 1945 As part of French Indochina.
Thailand 8 December 1941 – 15 August 1945 An independent state but allied with Japan.
Malaysia 27 March 1942 – 6 September 1945 Included Malaya and British Borneo.
Philippines 8 May 1942 – 5 July 1945 Under Japanese occupation.
Dutch East Indies 18 January 1942 – 21 October 1945 Under Japanese occupation.
Singapore 15 February 1942 – 9 September 1945 Under Japanese occupation.
Myanmar 1942–1945 Under Japanese occupation.
East Timor 19 February 1942 – 2 September 1945 Under Japanese occupation.

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