Secession facts for kids

Secession is when a part of a country decides to break away. This part then leaves the original country. It often wants to form its own new, independent country. Think of it like a group of friends deciding to form their own club. They leave the old club to start something new.

What is Secession?

Secession means a group of people or a region wants to separate. They want to separate from the larger country they are part of. This usually happens because they feel different. They might have different cultures, languages, or political ideas. They believe they would be better off governing themselves.

Why Do Groups Secede?

There are many reasons why a group might want to secede.

• Different Cultures: Sometimes, people in a region have a very different culture. This can include their language, traditions, or history. They might feel their culture is not respected in the larger country.
• Economic Reasons: A region might feel it is not getting a fair share of resources. Or it might believe it contributes too much money to the main government. They might think they could manage their economy better on their own.
• Political Differences: People might disagree strongly with the government's policies. They might feel their voices are not heard. They could believe their region's needs are ignored.
• Self-Determination: This is the idea that a group of people has the right to choose their own government. They want to decide their own future.

Famous Examples of Secession

One well-known example happened during the American Civil War. Eleven southern states declared their secession. They wanted to leave the United States and form their own country. This led to a major conflict. In the end, they rejoined the United States.

Another example is Kosovo. It declared its independence from Serbia in 2008. Many countries recognized Kosovo as a new country. But some countries, including Serbia, still do not. This shows that secession can be a very complex issue. It often involves many different opinions and challenges.

Images for kids

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  Northern Cyprus

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  September 1999 demonstration for independence from Indonesia

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  Map showing the shrinking territory of Gran Colombia from 1824 to 1890 (red line). Panama separated from Colombia in 1903.

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  The Territorial evolution of Mexico after independence, noting losses to the US (red, white and orange) and the secession of Central America (purple)

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  Changes in national boundaries in post-Soviet states

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  A republican mural in Belfast showing solidarity with the Basque nationalism

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  Donetsk status referendum organized by pro-Russian separatists. A line to enter a polling place, 11 May 2014.

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  A mural in Belfast depicting the Easter Rising of 1916

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  A destroyed T-34-85 tank in Karlovac, Croatian War of Independence, 1992