Protectorate facts for kids

A protectorate is like a smaller country that gets protection from a bigger, stronger country. This happens because they both agree to it. The stronger country helps keep the smaller one safe, especially from other powerful nations. This kind of arrangement was very common in the 1800s, particularly in places like Africa and South Asia. Back then, European countries often offered protection to smaller states or regions. Sometimes, these agreements also included rules about international trade, limiting who the protectorate could trade with.

What is a Protectorate?

A protectorate is a country or territory that is partly controlled and protected by another, more powerful country. Think of it like a big brother looking out for a younger sibling. The smaller country usually manages its own daily affairs, but the bigger country handles its defense and often its foreign relations. This relationship is based on a formal agreement between them.

Why Did Protectorates Form?

Protectorates often formed when a smaller country felt threatened by other powerful nations. By agreeing to become a protectorate, it gained military protection from the stronger country. For the stronger country, it was a way to expand its influence or control important trade routes without fully taking over the smaller country. This was a popular way for European empires to grow their power in the 19th century.

How Protectorates Are Different

A protectorate is not the same as a colony. In a colony, the stronger country has complete control over everything. In a protectorate, the local government usually keeps some power over its own people and laws. However, the protecting country still has a lot of say in important matters, especially defense and dealings with other countries.

Famous Protectorates in History

Many powerful countries had protectorates throughout history. The British Empire, for example, had many of them all over the world.

The British Empire's Protectorates

One of the earliest examples was called The Protectorate in England itself during the 1650s. Later, the British Empire established many protectorates in other parts of the world.

• Kuwait: This country in the Middle East was a British protectorate from 1899 until 1961. After that, Kuwait became a fully independent country.
• Bechuanaland: This area in Southern Africa was a British protectorate from 1885 until 1966. It then became the independent country of Botswana.

India's Protectorate: Sikkim

Sikkim was a small kingdom in the Himalayas. It was a protectorate of India until 1975. In that year, Sikkim decided to join India and became one of its states.

Images for kids

• 

  1960 stamp of Bechuanaland Protectorate with the portraits of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II

• 

  1 Sapèque - Protectorate of Tonkin (1905)

• 

  Banknotes of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, 1939–1945