Self-determination facts for kids
The right of nations to self-determination is a big idea that means a group of people, often called a "nation," has the right to choose how they are governed. It's about deciding who rules them and what their country's place in the world will be, without other countries telling them what to do.
For a long time, much of the world was ruled by huge empires. These were like very big countries that controlled many different groups of people, often far away from their main land. The lands they controlled were called colonies. After the First World War (1914-1919) and especially after the Second World War (1939-1945), many of these empires started to fall apart.
People living in the colonies, who were native to those areas, began to want their own independence. They wanted their country to be ruled by their own people, not by someone far away who they felt was treating them unfairly. This led to many nationalist movements in places like Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. People in these areas often felt they were a separate group from their rulers. For example, Arabs wanted to be ruled by Arabs, not by the British Empire which had controlled parts of Arabia.
Sometimes, groups try to achieve self-determination peacefully, through talks and voting. Other times, they might use different methods to gain their independence.
Contents
What is Self-Determination?
Self-determination is the idea that every nation or group of people has the right to freely choose their own future. This means they can decide:
- Their own government and how their country is run.
- Their political status in the world, like whether they are an independent country or part of another country.
- Their economic and social development, meaning how they manage their money and how their society grows.
This right is seen as very important because it allows people to live under laws and leaders they have chosen themselves.
History of Self-Determination
The idea of self-determination became very important after the two big World Wars. Before these wars, many powerful European countries had built large empires. They controlled lands and people all over the world.
After World War I
After the First World War, leaders like Woodrow Wilson, the President of the United States, started talking about self-determination. They believed that people should have a say in their own future. This idea helped to break up some of the old empires, like the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire. New countries were formed in Europe based on this principle.
After World War II and Decolonization
The Second World War further weakened the European empires. Many people in colonies in Asia and Africa saw this as a chance to gain their freedom. They started strong movements for independence. The United Nations, an organization formed after World War II to promote peace, also supported the idea of self-determination. This led to a period called decolonization, where many countries gained their independence from colonial rule.
For example, India gained independence from the British in 1947, and many African countries became independent in the 1950s and 1960s.
Why is Self-Determination Important?
Self-determination is important for several reasons:
- Fairness: It's seen as fair that people should be able to decide their own destiny.
- Peace: When people feel they have a say in their government, it can lead to more stable and peaceful societies.
- Human Rights: It's often linked to basic human rights, as it allows people to live freely and choose their own way of life.
Challenges and Debates
Even though self-determination sounds simple, it can be very complicated in real life.
- Who is a "nation"? Sometimes it's hard to decide which group of people counts as a "nation" that deserves self-determination. Is it an ethnic group, a group living in a certain area, or something else?
- Borders: When new countries are formed, it can change borders and sometimes lead to disagreements or conflicts with neighboring countries.
- Minorities: What about smaller groups of people (minorities) within a newly independent country? Do they also have a right to self-determination?
These challenges show that while the idea is powerful, putting it into practice can be difficult and requires careful thought.
Examples of Self-Determination
Many countries today exist because of the right to self-determination.
- South Sudan: In 2011, South Sudan became an independent country after its people voted to separate from Sudan.
- Kosovo: In 2008, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia, though not all countries recognize it.
- Hong Kong: More recently, people in Hong Kong have called for more self-determination, wanting more control over their own affairs.
- Indigenous Peoples: Many Indigenous peoples around the world also seek self-determination, wanting more control over their traditional lands and cultures within existing countries.
These examples show that the idea of self-determination continues to be a very important topic around the world.
Images for kids
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Lumads in Davao City marching for the right to self-determination as part of the human rights in Philippines in 2008.
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Map of Ottoman Empire in 1683
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Changes in national boundaries after the end of the Cold War
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Southern Sudanese expressed joy and jubilation on their day of independence, July 9, 2011, from Sudan.
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Celebration of the Declaration of Independence of Kosovo in 2008
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Donetsk status referendum organized by separatists in Ukraine. A line to enter a polling place, 11 May 2014
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During the 2019-20 Hong Kong protests, calls rose for self-determination by Hongkongers.
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Indigenous march right to self-determination (2008). Lumads from all over Mindanao march through the streets of Davao City at the end of a three-day conference.
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The first major demonstration in Stepanakert on February 13, 1988. Traditionally considered the start of the Artsakh movement.
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Tuareg rebels in the short-lived proto-state of Azawad in 2012
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2014 human chain for Basque Country's right to decide
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Protest in Barcelona on 1 October 2018
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Pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk, April 2015
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Malvinas and South Atlantic Islands Museum in Buenos Aires, 2015
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Gibraltar National Day, September 2013
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Pro-independence Hong Kong flag put up before a football match between the Hong Kong Football Team and the China national football team
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Indian soldiers on the streets of Kashmir during the 2016 unrests
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Kurdish YPG's female fighters during the Syrian War
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Pro-independence rally in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan in September 2017
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Atatürk Square, North Nicosia in 2006, with the Northern Cyprus and Turkish flags.
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A Native American woman in traditional dress
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Native Americans and their supporters protest during the Washington Redskins name controversy.
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A demonstration in Madrid for the independence of Western Sahara, 2007
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See also
In Spanish: Derecho de autodeterminación para niños
