Separatism is a political ideology that believes some sort of political separation of a group of people from a larger political system that they feel does not represent them Separatism is typically associated with independent movements seeking to separate from a larger state or entity such as an empire, nation, or state. Separatism can also arise from the desire to create a new political system that better serves the interests of the group. Separatist movements may be founded on a variety of motivations, such as cultural, linguistic, ethnic, religious, political, or economic.
Separatist movements are often rooted in the desire to assert rights, gain autonomy, and secure a certain degree of self-determination. Separatist movements may also arise as a result of conflicts between two or more states, such as those resulting from wars of independence. Additionally, a separatist movement may arise in response to the marginalization of a particular group of people within a larger political system.
The following are five of the best examples of separatist movements throughout history:
1. The American Revolution: The most prominent example of a successful separatist movement, the American Revolution, was a war of independence fought in the late eighteenth century by the original American colonies against British rule. The American Revolutionary War was won after a hard-fought and costly struggle, leading to the creation of the United States of America and the ratification of the Declaration of Independence.
2. The Irish War of Independence: The Irish War of Independence was a guerrilla campaign fought in Ireland between 1919 and 1921. The British Empire had held control over Ireland for centuries, but in 1919, the Irish Republican Army launched a major campaign to push Britain out of Irish territories and establish an Irish Republic. After two years of fighting, the British were forced to negotiate a settlement that gave Ireland limited autonomy.
3. The Soviet Breakup: The breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked an unprecedented decision by the member republics of the USSR to separate and pursue their own paths. The Soviet Union's leaders had recognized the growing sentiment of the people of their member republics and the need for each republic to have the right to pursue its own destiny.
4. The Indian Independence Movement: The Indian independence movement during the mid-20th century was centered around the demand for India's freedom from British colonial rule. Led by Mahatma Gandhi and other nationalist leaders, the movement was a combination of peaceful protests and civil disobedience that ultimately resulted in India's independence on August 15th, 1947.
5. The Catalonian Push for Independence: Catalonia is a region of northeastern Spain that has sought independence for many years. The 2017 Catalan independence referendum was held in defiance of the Spanish government and resulted in an overwhelming majority in favor of establishing an independent state. The Spanish government has since refused to recognize Catalonia's sovereignty, rendering the referendum largely symbolic and the push for independence a continuing cause.