Values in Action – Independence

As a differentiating value, Independence means freedom from control, constraint or influence of others; autonomous.

Individuals, tribes, and nations have been fighting for their freedom and independence since communities were first formed and kings ruled.

Today, in Great Britain there is a serious push for an independent Scotland. Some Scots only want devolution – a Scottish Parliament within the United Kingdom. Others advocate for complete independence. Either way, if the Scottish independence referendum is successful in 2014, the United Kingdom may no longer be united.

But this is not a new trend.

In the year 1900, Great Britain wielded control and/or influence over almost a third of the world’s population – approximately 500 million out of 1.7 billion people. Since that time, the drive for independence has been very active around the globe. The number of independent nations has risen sharply.

It’s difficult to obtain an accurate count of how many nations existed in the year 1900 as there are many conflicting reports (variances are based on definitions and who recognizes a nation as sovereign). However, one source suggests there were 53 sovereign nations. Below is a list of these nations, along with the dates each one achieved sovereignty.

Today, the number of recognized sovereign states is 206. And there’s no reason to believe it won’t continue to increase. While a number of entries listed here can be disputed, the one fact that remains is this: since 1900, the number of nations on this planet has nearly quadrupled.

Same land space with 4 times as many nations. This shift can be attributed to the desire for independence.

So, over the coming years, we shouldn’t be surprised if more and more nations are formed as groups of people continue to embrace the value of independence and fight for their freedom.

List of nations at 1900 and date achieved sovereignty:

1. Iran 529BC
2. China 221 BC
3. Ethiopia AD c150
4. Japan c300
5. France 843
6. UK 927
7. Denmark c960
8. Sweden c1000
9. Portugal 1109
10. Austria 1156
11. Andorra 1278
12. Switzerland 1 Aug 1291
13. Monaco 8 Jan 1297
14. Turkey c1350
15. Thailand c1420
16. Spain 1479
17. Netherlands 1581
18. San Marino 1631
19. Bhutan c1650
20. Afghanistan 1747
21. Oman 1749
22. Kuwait 1756
23. Nepal c1770
24. USA 4 Jul 1776
25. Haiti 1 Jan 1804
26. Liechtenstein Aug 1806
27. Chile 18 Sep 1810
28. Paraguay 14 May 1811
29. Norway 14 Aug 1814
30. Luxembourg 9 Jun 1815
31. Argentina 9 Jul 1816
32. Colombia 17 Dec 1819
33. Peru 28 Jul 1821
34. Mexico 24 Aug 1821
35. Brazil 7 Sep 1822
36. Bolivia 6 Aug 1825
37. Uruguay 25 Aug 1825
38. Greece 3 Feb 1830
39. Ecuador 11 May 1830
40. Venezuela 11 May 1830
41. Belgium 21 Jul 1831
42. Costa Rica 1838-9
43. Guatemala 1838-9
44. Honduras 1838-9
45. Nicaragua 1838-9
46. El Salvador 1838-9
47. Dominican Republic Apr 1844
48. Liberia 26 Jul 1847
49. Italy 18 Feb 1861
50. Hungary 29 May 1867
51. Canada 1 Jul 1867
52. Germany 18 Jan 1871
53. Romania 13 Jul 1878