Government-in-exile facts for kids
A government-in-exile (often called a GiE) is a group of people who say they are the real government of a country. However, they can't actually control their country. Instead, they live in a different, foreign country. These groups usually hope to go back home one day and take back power.
Imagine a country where the government has lost all its land. That's a government-in-exile. It's different from a "rump state," which still controls a small part of its original land. For example, during World War I, most of Belgium was taken over by Germany. But Belgium and its friends still held onto a tiny bit of land in the west. So, the Belgian government at that time was more like a rump state, even though it acted a lot like a government-in-exile from France.
Governments-in-exile often form during wars, like when a country is taken over. They can also appear after a civil war, a revolution, or a military takeover. For instance, during World War II, when Nazi Germany was expanding, some European governments moved to the United Kingdom to avoid being destroyed.
Sometimes, a government-in-exile forms because many people believe the current government is not fair or right. For example, during the Syrian Civil War that started in 2011, a group called the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces was created. Its goal was to end the rule of the Ba'ath Party.
These governments might not be recognized by many other countries. How strong a government-in-exile is depends on how much support it gets. This support can come from foreign countries or from people back home. Some become very powerful and challenge the ruling group. Others are mainly symbolic, just a sign of hope.
The idea of a government-in-exile is quite old. In times when kings and queens ruled, exiled monarchs sometimes set up courts in other countries. The House of Stuart did this when they lost their throne in England. The House of Bourbon also did this after the French Revolution. They were still seen as the true government of France by some countries, even during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte. Later, as countries started having constitutional monarchies, these exiled governments began to include a prime minister. The Dutch government during World War II is an example.
The main city of a government-in-exile is called a "capital-in-exile." It's located outside the country they claim to rule. This is different from a "temporary capital," which is still inside the country's controlled area.
Contents
What are Governments-in-Exile?
Types of Governments-in-Exile
Governments-in-exile can be grouped into different types based on their situation.
Governments Still Controlling Some Land
Some groups are seen by some people as governments-in-exile, even if they still control a small part of their original land. They claim to be the rightful government of the entire territory they once ruled.
- The Republic of China (ROC) is based in Taipei. It does not see itself as a government-in-exile. However, some people think it is, because they believe Taiwan was not truly given to the ROC after World War II. The ROC still claims land controlled by the People's Republic of China and other countries.
- The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic was declared in 1976. It controls a small part of Western Sahara. Most of its daily government work happens in refugee camps in Algeria.
Governments That Were Overthrown
These governments were started by leaders or groups who were removed from power. They still claim to be the true government of their country.
- The Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic was formed in 1919. It is the oldest government-in-exile in the world. It is based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- The National Unity Government of Myanmar was created in 2021. This happened after a military takeover in Myanmar. Its members are currently hiding within Myanmar.
- The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (Panjshir alliance) formed in 2021. This was after the Taliban took over Kabul. Former officials and vice president Amrullah Saleh are trying to regain control.
Exiled Local Governments
Some governments-in-exile claim to be the rightful authority for smaller areas within a country, like provinces or regions. They do not claim to be an independent country.
- The Fujian Provincial Government of the Republic of China was exiled from its capital in 1949 during the Chinese Civil War. It moved to Kinmen and later to Taiwan Province. Even though it doesn't have administrative power anymore, it still officially exists.
- The Autonomous Republic of Crimea is a Ukrainian government-in-exile. Its territory was taken by Russia in 2014. It now operates remotely from other parts of Ukraine.
Alternative Governments
These governments are formed in exile by political groups or opposition parties. They want to become the actual government or claim to be the legal replacement for past governments.
- The Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces is based in Seoul. It is a South Korean administration for the five provinces that became North Korea after World War II.
- The National Council of Resistance of Iran was formed in 1981. It is a group of Iranian opposition organizations based in Paris. They aim to create a "Democratic Republic of Iran."
- The Coordination Council and United Transitional Cabinet oppose Alexander Lukashenko's rule in Belarus. They are led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who is in exile in Lithuania.
Separatist Governments in Exile
These groups are formed in exile by movements that want their territory to become an independent country.
- The Free City of Danzig Government in Exile was formed in 1947 and is based in Berlin.
- The United Liberation Movement for West Papua campaigns for an independent Republic of West Papua. It is based in Vanuatu.
- The Republic of South Maluku formed a government-in-exile in 1966. It is based in the Netherlands.
- The East Turkistan Government-in-Exile campaigns for an independent East Turkestan. It is based in Washington, D.C..
- The Central Tibetan Administration was founded by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1959. It is based in Dharamsala, India.
- The Council for the Republic aims to create an independent Catalonia. It is based in Brussels.
Governments of Non-Self-Governing or Occupied Lands
These governments-in-exile claim to be the rightful authority over lands that are not self-governing or are occupied. They might have been elected as a legitimate government.
The United Nations says that people in these territories have the right to decide their own future, including becoming independent countries.
For example, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) declared the State of Palestine in 1988 while in exile in Algiers. It acted as the government-in-exile for the Palestinian State. Later, the PLO set up the Palestinian National Authority to manage some Palestinian areas. Today, the State of Palestine is recognized by the UN as a non-member state, but it doesn't fully control its claimed land. Both the Palestinian Authority and the State of Palestine are led by the same person, Mahmoud Abbas.
Past Governments in Exile
Many governments have been forced into exile throughout history. Here are a few examples:
- The Republican Government of Siena was formed in 1555. After Siena was defeated and taken over by the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, 700 families moved to Montalcino and said they were the true government. This lasted until 1559.
- The Privy Council of England was in exile from 1649 to 1660. It was led by Charles II and was based in the Southern Netherlands. It supported Charles's claim to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
- The Confederate government of Missouri (1861-1865) and the Confederate government of Kentucky (1861-1865) were exiled during the American Civil War. Both states had both Union and Confederate governments, but the Confederate ones were forced to operate from outside their states.
- The Belgian government at Sainte-Adresse was formed in 1915. This was after Germany invaded Belgium during World War I. It was based in France and returned home after the war ended in 1918.
- The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea was in exile in China from 1919 until the end of World War II. After Japan's defeat, its president became the first president of South Korea.
- The Spanish Republican government in exile was formed in 1939 after Francisco Franco took power in Spain. It was based in Paris and later in Mexico City. It returned to Paris and lasted until democracy was restored in Spain in 1977.
- The Generalitat de Catalunya (the autonomous government of Catalonia) was in exile from 1939 to 1977. Its president was tortured and executed, but the government continued to exist officially in exile.
World War II Governments in Exile
Many countries had governments-in-exile during World War II after losing their independence.
Governments in London
A large number of European governments-in-exile were set up in London, United Kingdom.
| Name | Leaders |
|---|---|
 Belgian government in exile |
Prime Minister: Hubert Pierlot |
 Czechoslovak government-in-exile |
|
 Free France |
Charles de Gaulle, Henri Giraud, French Committee of National Liberation (from 1943) |
 Greek government-in-exile |
|
 Luxembourg government in exile |
|
 Dutch government-in-exile |
|
 Norwegian government-in-exile |
|
 Polish government-in-exile |
|
 Yugoslav government-in-exile |
|
 Austrian Democratic Union (Unrecognised) |
|
 Danish Freedom Council (Unrecognised) |
|
 Free Thai Movement (Unrecognised) |
Other leaders in exile in Britain during this time included King Zog of Albania and Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia.
Governments-in-Exile in Asia
The Philippine Commonwealth government went into exile in Australia and the United States after Japan invaded in 1941. The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea also continued in exile in China until the war ended.
Axis-Aligned Governments in Exile
Later in World War II, as the German army was pushed back, some groups that supported the Axis powers set up "governments-in-exile" in remaining Axis territory. This was often to recruit soldiers from their home countries.
- Azad Hind (Provisional Government of Free India) was formed in 1943 to oppose the British Raj. It was led by Subhas Chandra Bose and based in Yangon (Rangoon). It even had its own currency.
- The Sigmaringen Governmental Commission was a French government-in-exile set up by the Germans in 1944. It was led by Fernand de Brinon and was in Germany.
Persian Gulf War
During the Persian Gulf War in 1990, Iraq invaded and took over Kuwait. The Sheikh of Kuwait, Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and his government fled to Saudi Arabia. They set up a government-in-exile there. This government was very rich because it had access to Kuwait's money in Western banks. They used this money to run a big campaign against Iraq's occupation. In 1991, after Iraq was defeated, the Sheikh and his government returned to Kuwait.
Fictional Governments in Exile
Sometimes, in books or movies about different histories or the future, you'll find fictional governments-in-exile.
- In the book SS-GB, the United Kingdom is defeated in World War II and taken over by Nazi Germany. The story features a British government-in-exile in Washington, D.C..
- In If Israel Lost the War, Israel is defeated in the 1967 Six-Day War. Its land is taken over by Arab armies. Then, David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir set up an Israeli government-in-exile in North America.
- In the video game mod Hearts of Iron IV Kaiserreich, which shows an alternate history where Germany wins World War I, the former governments of France, Britain, and Italy are exiled to other places after revolutionaries take control of their countries.
See also
In Spanish: Gobierno en el exilio para niños
- Embassy without a government
- Provisional government
- Shadow cabinet
- Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization
Lists
- Lists of active separatist movements
- List of states with limited recognition
- United Nations list of non-self-governing territories
Images for kids
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Flag of the Republic of South Maluku.
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Flag of the Republic of Ambazonia.
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Flag of Patani.
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Flag of the Republic of Siena.
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Electoral Standard of Bavaria.
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State Flag of Iran (1964).
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Flag of the Spanish Republic (1931-1939).
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Flag of Estonia (1940-1990).
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Flag of Latvia (1940-1990).
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Flag of Lithuania (1940-1990).
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Flag of the Commonwealth of the Philippines (1935-1946).
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Flag of the Empire of Japan.
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Flag of the Second Philippine Republic.
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Flag of Indonesia (1945-1949).
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Flag of the Netherlands (1945-1980).
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Flag of All-Palestine.
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Flag of Jordan (1928-1992).
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Flag of Angola (1975-1992).
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Flag of Namibia (1966-1990).
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Flag of Pakistan (1964-2001).
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Flag of the Free Aceh Movement.
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Flag of Romania (1922-1947).
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Flag of France (1794).
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Flag of Bulgaria (1944-1946).
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State Flag of Greece (1863-1924 and 1935-1973).
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