Independence referendum: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Referendum to decide whether a territory should become an independent country}} |
{{Short description|Referendum to decide whether a territory should become an independent country}} |
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{{Direct Democracy}} |
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{{More citations needed|date=May 2022}} |
{{More citations needed|date=May 2022}} |
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[[File:K-CNRT rally Dili 07'99-25.jpg|thumb|[[1999 East Timorese independence referendum|East Timorese independence referendum]] in 1999]] |
[[File:K-CNRT rally Dili 07'99-25.jpg|thumb|[[1999 East Timorese independence referendum|East Timorese independence referendum]] in 1999]] |
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{{clear}} |
{{clear}} |
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== |
==List of independence referendums== |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" style=font-size: |
{| class="wikitable sortable" style=font-size:95% |
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!Proposed state !!Year !! |
!Proposed state !!Year !!Proposed independence from!!width=80|Majority for independence !!width=80|Independence!!width=80|Recognition of result!!class="unsortable"|Notes |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flag|Chile}} |
| {{flag|Chile}} |
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| [[1817 Chilean independence referendum|1817]] |
| [[1817 Chilean independence referendum|1817]] |
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| {{flagicon image| |
| {{flagicon image|Flag of Cross of Burgundy.svg}} [[Spanish Empire|Spain]] |
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| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} |
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} |
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| Unilaterally [[Chilean Declaration of Independence|declared independence]]. |
| Unilaterally [[Chilean Declaration of Independence|declared independence]]. |
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| {{Yes}} || |
| {{Yes}} || |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flagicon image| |
| {{flagicon image|Light Blue Flag of Iceland.svg}} [[Kingdom of Iceland|Iceland]] |
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| [[1918 Icelandic sovereignty referendum|1918]] |
| [[1918 Icelandic sovereignty referendum|1918]] |
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| {{flag|Denmark}} |
| {{flag|Kingdom of Denmark|name=Denmark}} |
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| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} |
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} |
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| {{Yes}} || |
| {{Yes}} || |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flagicon image| |
| {{flagicon image|Flag of Dominion of Westralia (secession movement).svg}} [[Western Australia]] |
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| [[Limerick Soviet#Creation|1919]] |
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| {{Yes || {{Partial|''De facto''}} |
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| {{No}} || |
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|- |
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| {{flagicon image|Flag_of_Dominion_of_Westralia_(secession_movement).svg}} [[Western Australia]] |
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| [[1933 Western Australian secession referendum|1933]] |
| [[1933 Western Australian secession referendum|1933]] |
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| {{flag|Australia}} |
| {{flag|Australia}} |
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| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} |
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} |
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| {{Yes}} |
| {{Yes}} |
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| Initially recognized by the [[Taiwan|Republic of China]], but |
| Initially recognized by the [[Taiwan|Republic of China]], but recognition was abolished in 1953; recognized by the [[China|People's Republic of China]]. |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flag|Faroe Islands}} |
| {{flag|Faroe Islands}} |
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| [[1946 Faroese independence referendum|1946]] |
| [[1946 Faroese independence referendum|1946]] |
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| {{flag|Denmark}} |
| {{flag|Kingdom of Denmark|name=Denmark}} |
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| {{Yes}} || {{No}} |
| {{Yes}} || {{No}} |
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| {{No}} |
| {{No}} |
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| {{flag|United Kingdom}} |
| {{flag|United Kingdom}} |
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| {{No}} || {{No}} |
| {{No}} || {{No}} |
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| {{Yes}} || |
| {{Yes}} || Integrated with Canada. |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flag|Nagaland}} |
| {{flag|Nagaland}} |
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| Integrated with [[West Germany]]. |
| Integrated with [[West Germany]]. |
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|- |
|- |
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|{{flagicon image| |
|{{flagicon image|Flag of Cameroon (1957).svg}} [[Cameroon]]||[[1958 Cameroonian constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}|| {{Yes}}|| rowspan="19" |Referendum on a new [[Constitution of France|French constitution]]. A no vote would have led to independence. |
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|- |
|- |
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|{{flag|Central African Republic}}||[[1958 Ubangi-Shari constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
|{{flag|Central African Republic}}||[[1958 Ubangi-Shari constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
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|{{flag|Chad}}||[[1958 Chadian constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
|{{flag|Chad}}||[[1958 Chadian constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
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|- |
|- |
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|{{flagicon image| |
|{{flagicon image|Flag of the Comoros (1963–1975).svg}} [[Comoros]]||[[1958 Comorian constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
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|- |
|- |
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|{{flag| |
|{{flag|Congo}}||[[1958 Moyen-Congo constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
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|- |
|- |
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|{{flag|Dahomey}}||[[1958 Dahomeyan constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
|{{flag|Dahomey}}||[[1958 Dahomeyan constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
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|{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} [[French Polynesia]]||[[1958 French Polynesian constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
|{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} [[French Polynesia]]||[[1958 French Polynesian constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
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|- |
|- |
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|{{flagicon image| |
|{{flagicon image|Flag of Gabon 1959-1960.svg}} [[Gabon]]||[[1958 Gabonese constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
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|- |
|- |
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|{{flag|Guinea}}||[[1958 Guinean constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{Yes}}||{{Yes}}||{{Yes}} |
|{{flag|Guinea}}||[[1958 Guinean constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{Yes}}||{{Yes}}||{{Yes}} |
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|{{flagicon image|Flag of Mali (1959–1961).svg}} [[Mali]]||[[1958 French Sudan constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
|{{flagicon image|Flag of Mali (1959–1961).svg}} [[Mali]]||[[1958 French Sudan constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
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|- |
|- |
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|{{flagicon image| |
|{{flagicon image|Flag of Mauritania (1959–2017).svg}} [[Mauritania]]||[[1958 Mauritanian constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
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|- |
|- |
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|{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} [[New Caledonia]]||[[1958 New Caledonian constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
|{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} [[New Caledonia]]||[[1958 New Caledonian constitutional referendum|1958]]||{{No}}||{{No}}||{{Yes}} |
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| {{Yes}} || |
| {{Yes}} || |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} [[Algeria]] |
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| {{flag|Algeria}} |
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| [[1962 Algerian independence referendum|1962]] |
| [[1962 Algerian independence referendum|1962]] |
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| {{flag|France}} |
| {{flag|France}} |
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| Unilaterally [[Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence|declared independence]]. |
| Unilaterally [[Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence|declared independence]]. |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flagicon image| |
| {{flagicon image|Flag of France.svg}} [[Djibouti]] |
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| [[1967 French Somaliland independence referendum|1967]] |
| [[1967 French Somaliland independence referendum|1967]] |
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| {{flag|France}} |
| {{flag|France}} |
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| {{Yes}} || |
| {{Yes}} || |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flagicon image| |
| {{flagicon image|Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands (1972).svg}} [[Northern Mariana Islands]] |
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| [[1969 Northern Mariana Islands status referendum|1969]] |
| [[1969 Northern Mariana Islands status referendum|1969]] |
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| {{flag|United States}} |
| {{flag|United States}} |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flag|Bahrain|1932}} |
| {{flag|Bahrain|1932}} |
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| [[Bahraini independence survey |
| [[1970 Bahraini independence survey|1970]] |
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| {{flag|United Kingdom}} |
| {{flag|United Kingdom}} |
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| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} |
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} |
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| Became an [[associated state]] of New Zealand. |
| Became an [[associated state]] of New Zealand. |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flagicon image| |
| {{flagicon image|Flag of the Comoros (1963–1975).svg}} [[Comoros]] |
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| [[1974 Comorian independence referendum|1974]] |
| [[1974 Comorian independence referendum|1974]] |
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| {{flag|France}} |
| {{flag|France}} |
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| {{Yes}} |
| {{Yes}} |
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| [[Mayotte]] remained with France. |
| [[Mayotte]] remained with France. |
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|- |
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| {{Flagicom image|Royal_flag_of_Sikkim.svg.png}} [[Kingdom of Sikkim]] |
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| [[1975 Sikkimese monarchy referendum|1975]] |
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| ''N/A'' |
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| {{No}} || {{No}} |
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| {{Yes}} |
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| Voted to Abolish Monarchy and Join [[India]] |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{nowrap|{{flag|Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands}}}} |
| {{nowrap|{{flag|Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands}}}} |
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| {{Yes}} || {{No}} |
| {{Yes}} || {{No}} |
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| {{No}} |
| {{No}} |
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| Unofficial referendum to |
| Unofficial referendum to become independent from [[Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla]] and attain [[Crown colony|Crown colony status]] within the [[British Empire]]. Unrecognized by the central government. |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flag|Quebec}} |
| {{flag|Quebec}} |
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| {{Yes}} || |
| {{Yes}} || |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flag| |
| {{flag|Micronesia}} |
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| [[1983 Micronesian Compact of Free Association referendum|1983]] |
| [[1983 Micronesian Compact of Free Association referendum|1983]] |
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| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} |
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} |
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| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || |
| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flagicon image| |
| {{flagicon image|Flag of the Falkland Islands (1948-1999).svg}} [[Falkland Islands]] |
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| [[1986 Falkland Islands status referendum|1986]] |
| [[1986 Falkland Islands status referendum|1986]] |
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| {{flag|United Kingdom}} |
| {{flag|United Kingdom}} |
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| [[1990 Slovenian independence referendum|1990]] |
| [[1990 Slovenian independence referendum|1990]] |
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| {{flag|Yugoslavia}} |
| {{flag|Yugoslavia}} |
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| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || |
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} ||| Unilaterally declared independence. |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flag|Armenia}} |
| {{flag|Armenia}} |
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| [[1991 Croatian independence referendum|1991]] |
| [[1991 Croatian independence referendum|1991]] |
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| {{flag|Yugoslavia}} |
| {{flag|Yugoslavia}} |
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| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || |
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || | Unilaterally declared independence. |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flag|Estonia}} |
| {{flag|Estonia}} |
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| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || |
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flag|Macedonia|1992}} |
| {{flag|North Macedonia|1992|name=Macedonia}} |
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| [[1991 Macedonian independence referendum|1991]] |
| [[1991 Macedonian independence referendum|1991]] |
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| {{flag|Yugoslavia}} |
| {{flag|Yugoslavia}} |
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| {{Partial|''De facto''<ref>Marcin Kosienkowski (2017) [https://pracownik.kul.pl/files/121903/public/kosienkowski_the_gagauz_republic_an_autonomism-driven_de_facto_state.pdf The Gagauz Republic: An Autonomism-Driven De Facto State] ''The Soviet and Post-Soviet Review'', volume 44, no. 3, pp292–313</ref>}} |
| {{Partial|''De facto''<ref>Marcin Kosienkowski (2017) [https://pracownik.kul.pl/files/121903/public/kosienkowski_the_gagauz_republic_an_autonomism-driven_de_facto_state.pdf The Gagauz Republic: An Autonomism-Driven De Facto State] ''The Soviet and Post-Soviet Review'', volume 44, no. 3, pp292–313</ref>}} |
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| {{No}} |
| {{No}} |
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| Unilaterally |
| Unilaterally separated from Moldova; reintegrated into the country in 1995. |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flagicon image| |
| {{flagicon image|Flag of Turkmenistan (1992-1997).svg}} [[Turkmenistan]] |
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| [[1991 Turkmen independence referendum|1991]] |
| [[1991 Turkmen independence referendum|1991]] |
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| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || |
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flag|Uzbekistan}} |
| {{flag|Uzbekistan}} |
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| [[1991 |
| [[1991 Uzbek independence election|1991]] |
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| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || |
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[1992 Bosnian independence referendum|1992]] |
| [[1992 Bosnian independence referendum|1992]] |
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| rowspan="2" | {{flag|Yugoslavia}} |
| rowspan="2" | {{flag|Yugoslavia}} |
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| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || |
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} ||| Unilaterally declared independence. |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flag|SR Montenegro|name=Montenegro}} |
| {{flag|SR Montenegro|name=Montenegro}} |
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| [[1992 Montenegrin independence referendum|1992]] |
| [[1992 Montenegrin independence referendum|1992]] |
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| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || |
| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || Montenegro split from [[Serbia and Montenegro]] in 2006. |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flag|South Ossetia}} |
| {{flag|South Ossetia}} |
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| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || |
| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flagicon image| |
| {{flagicon image|Flag of the Principality of Seborga -v.svg}} [[Principality of Seborga|Seborga]] |
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| [[Principality of Seborga#History|1995]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Roth|first=Christopher F.|date=March 2015|title=Let's Split! A Complete Guide to Separatist Movements and Aspirant Nations, from Abkhazia to Zanzibar|publisher=Litwin Books, LLC|url=http://litwinbooks.com/LS-Italy.pdf|page=90|quote=In 1995, Giorgio held a referendum, with Seborgans opting for independence 304-4.}}</ref> |
| [[Principality of Seborga#History|1995]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Roth|first=Christopher F.|date=March 2015|title=Let's Split! A Complete Guide to Separatist Movements and Aspirant Nations, from Abkhazia to Zanzibar|publisher=Litwin Books, LLC|url=http://litwinbooks.com/LS-Italy.pdf|page=90|quote=In 1995, Giorgio held a referendum, with Seborgans opting for independence 304-4.}}</ref> |
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| {{flag|Italy}} |
| {{flag|Italy}} |
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| {{Yes}} || {{No}} || {{No}} |
| {{Yes}} || {{No}} || {{No}} |
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| Regarded |
| Regarded as a [[micronation]]. |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flagicon image| |
| {{flagicon image|Flag of Anjouan.svg}} [[Anjouan#Secessionist/Autonomous Anjouan|Anjouan]] |
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| [[1997 Anjouan independence referendum|1997]] |
| [[1997 Anjouan independence referendum|1997]] |
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| {{flag|Comoros}} |
| {{flag|Comoros|1996}} |
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| {{Yes}} |
| {{Yes}} |
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| {{Partial|''De facto''}} |
| {{Partial|''De facto''}} |
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| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || |
| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flagicon image| |
| {{flagicon image|Flag of Catalonia.svg}} [[Catalonia]] |
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| [[2014 Catalan self-determination referendum|2014]] |
| [[2014 Catalan self-determination referendum|2014]] |
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| {{flag|Spain}} |
| {{flag|Spain}} |
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| {{flag|Sint Eustatius}} |
| {{flag|Sint Eustatius}} |
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| [[2014 Sint Eustatius status referendum|2014]] |
| [[2014 Sint Eustatius status referendum|2014]] |
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| {{flag|Netherlands}} |
| {{flag|Kingdom of the Netherlands|Netherlands}} |
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| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || |
| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{Yes}} |
| {{Yes}} |
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| {{No}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-41744376|title=Iraqi Kurds offer to 'freeze' independence referendum result|date=25 October 2017|access-date=27 October 2017|publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> |
| {{No}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-41744376|title=Iraqi Kurds offer to 'freeze' independence referendum result|date=25 October 2017|access-date=27 October 2017|publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> |
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| {{No}} <!-- This is for recognition of the referendum, which was not recognized by Iraq, not potential recognition of a Kurdish state--> |
| {{No}} <!-- This is for recognition of the referendum, which was not recognized by Iraq, not potential recognition of a Kurdish state --> |
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| The referendum also took place in the [[disputed territories of Northern Iraq]]. |
| The referendum also took place in the [[disputed territories of Northern Iraq]]. |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{flagicon image| |
| {{flagicon image|Flag of Catalonia.svg}} [[Catalonia]] |
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| [[2017 Catalan independence referendum|2017]] |
| [[2017 Catalan independence referendum|2017]] |
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| {{flag|Spain}} |
| {{flag|Spain}} |
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| {{tba|Subject to negotiation}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/11/bougainville-referendum-region-votes-overwhelmingly-for-independence-from-papua-new-guinea|title=Bougainville referendum: region votes overwhelmingly for independence from Papua New Guinea|last=Lyons|first=Kate|date=2019-12-10|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-12-11}}</ref> |
| {{tba|Subject to negotiation}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/11/bougainville-referendum-region-votes-overwhelmingly-for-independence-from-papua-new-guinea|title=Bougainville referendum: region votes overwhelmingly for independence from Papua New Guinea|last=Lyons|first=Kate|date=2019-12-10|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-12-11}}</ref> |
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| {{Yes}} |
| {{Yes}} |
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| Nonbinding vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/384471/bougainville-referendum-not-binding-pm|title=Bougainville referendum not binding - PM|date=2019-03-11|website=Radio New Zealand|language=en-nz|access-date=2019-03-18}}</ref> Independence rests with Papua New Guinea's parliament.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Mckenna|first1=Kylie|last2=Ariku|first2=Emelda|date=19 November 2021|title=Bougainville independence: recalling promises of international help|url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/bougainville-independence-recalling-promises-international-help |
| Nonbinding vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/384471/bougainville-referendum-not-binding-pm|title=Bougainville referendum not binding - PM|date=2019-03-11|website=Radio New Zealand|language=en-nz|access-date=2019-03-18}}</ref> Independence rests with Papua New Guinea's parliament.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Mckenna|first1=Kylie|last2=Ariku|first2=Emelda|date=19 November 2021|title=Bougainville independence: recalling promises of international help|url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/bougainville-independence-recalling-promises-international-help|access-date=3 December 2021|website=The Interpreter}}</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
||
| rowspan="2" |{{flag|New Caledonia}} |
| rowspan="2" |{{flag|New Caledonia}} |
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| Boycotted by pro-independence parties.<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 December 2021|title=New Caledonia pro-independence parties reject referendum result|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/13/new-caledonia-pro-independentists-reject-referendum-result|access-date=14 December 2021|website=Al Jazeera}}</ref> |
| Boycotted by pro-independence parties.<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 December 2021|title=New Caledonia pro-independence parties reject referendum result|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/13/new-caledonia-pro-independentists-reject-referendum-result|access-date=14 December 2021|website=Al Jazeera}}</ref> |
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|} |
|} |
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<!-- |
<!-- |
||
==Scheduled independence referendums== |
== Scheduled independence referendums == |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%" |
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%" |
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!Proposed State |
!Proposed State |
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==Further reading== |
==Further reading== |
||
*Harguindéguy, J.-B., Sánchez, E. S., & Sánchez, A. S. (2021). "[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026137942030127X Why do central states accept holding independence referendums? Analyzing the role of state peripheries.]" ''Electoral Studies''. |
*Harguindéguy, J.-B., Sánchez, E. S., & Sánchez, A. S. (2021). "[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026137942030127X Why do central states accept holding independence referendums? Analyzing the role of state peripheries.]" ''Electoral Studies''. |
||
*Juve J. Cortés Rivera (2020) "[[doi:10.1080/21622671.2020.1837223|Creating new states: the strategic use of referendums in secession movements.]]" ''Territory, Politics, Governance'' |
*Juve J. Cortés Rivera (2020). "[[doi:10.1080/21622671.2020.1837223|Creating new states: the strategic use of referendums in secession movements.]]" ''Territory, Politics, Governance'' |
||
==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Secession]] |
[[Category:Secession]] |
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[[Category:Independence]] |
[[Category:Independence]] |
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[[Category:Referendums by issue]] |
Revision as of 21:16, 4 July 2024
Part of the Politics series |
Direct democracy |
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This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2022) |
An independence referendum is a type of referendum in which the residents of a territory decide whether the territory should become an independent sovereign state. An independence referendum that results in a vote for independence does not always ultimately result in independence.
Procedure
An independence referendum typically arises first after political success for nationalists of a territory. This could come in the election of politicians or parties with separatist policies, or from pressure from nationalist organisations.
Negotiations
Negotiations for the terms of an independence referendum may take place between the nationalists and the government which exercises sovereignty over the territory. If terms can be agreed, then the independence referendum can be held with its result binding, and respected by the international community. Independence referendums can be held without the consent of a national or the federal governments, then the international community will rely on several other factors, e.g. were the local people oppressed by the central government or not, to decide if the result can be recognized or not.
Various issues can be discussed in negotiations, such as the date and timing of the poll, as well as voter eligibility. For these instances, common electoral practice is often widely used, although there can be deviations, as seen with the lowering of the voting age for the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
Other issues to be negotiated include what question or questions should be on the ballot, and what the voting options could be. Independence referendums can offer options of greater autonomy as well as, or instead of, the status quo. They can also put forward other constitutional questions to ballot. The questions that referendums ask may be revised if parties involved in negotiations consider them to be too leading.
Negotiations notably need to address what would make a result binding. For some independence referendums, a simple majority is required for one option. In other cases, a quota can be used, where a certain percentage of the vote or the electorate needs to be in favour of an option for it to be binding.
Successful negotiations can be hard to achieve for nationalists, as governments can be reluctant to give up sovereignty. For example, nationalists planned to hold a referendum in Catalonia in 2014, but met opposition from the Spanish government. As a result, the referendum that went ahead was unofficial and non-binding.
Aftermath
In the event of a vote for independence, there may be negotiations on the terms of secession for the territory from the sovereign state. A declaration of independence for a new state is then made, and international recognition can follow, as well as membership of international organisations such as the United Nations. In cases involving non-binding referendums, this can lead to a unilateral declaration of independence, and therefore partially recognised or self-proclaimed states, like the Donbas status referendums.
In the event of a vote against independence, there may still be a strong nationalist movement and calls for there to be a rerun of the independence referendum. For example, after two referendums in Quebec, the Parti Québécois has continued to raise the prospect of holding another referendum,[1] and the Scottish National Party has said that there should be a repeat of the 2014 referendum now that the United Kingdom has left the European Union.
List of independence referendums
Proposed state | Year | Proposed independence from | Majority for independence | Independence | Recognition of result | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chile | 1817 | Spain | Yes | Yes | No | Unilaterally declared independence. |
Liberia | 1846 | American Colonization Society | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Maryland | 1853 | Maryland State Colonization Society | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Norway | 1905 | Sweden–Norway | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Iceland | 1918 | Denmark | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Western Australia | 1933 | Australia | Yes | No | No | |
Cambodia | 1945 | France | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Mongolia | 1945 | China | Yes | Yes | Yes | Initially recognized by the Republic of China, but recognition was abolished in 1953; recognized by the People's Republic of China. |
Faroe Islands | 1946 | Denmark | Yes | No | No | Independence declaration annulled by Denmark. |
Newfoundland | 1948 | United Kingdom | No | No | Yes | Integrated with Canada. |
Nagaland | 1951 | India | Yes | No | No | Unrecognized by the government of India.[2] |
Saar | 1955 | France | No | No | Yes | Integrated with West Germany. |
Cameroon | 1958 | No | No | Yes | Referendum on a new French constitution. A no vote would have led to independence. | |
Central African Republic | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
Chad | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
Comoros | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
Congo | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
Dahomey | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
Djibouti | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
French Polynesia | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
Gabon | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
Guinea | 1958 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
Ivory Coast | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
Madagascar | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
Mali | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
Mauritania | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
New Caledonia | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
Niger | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
Saint Pierre and Miquelon | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
Senegal | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
Upper Volta | 1958 | No | No | Yes | ||
Western Samoa | 1961 | New Zealand | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Algeria | 1962 | France | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Malta | 1964 | United Kingdom | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Rhodesia | 1964 | Yes | De facto | No | Unilaterally declared independence. | |
Djibouti | 1967 | France | No | No | Yes | |
Puerto Rico | 1967 | United States | No | No | Yes | |
West Papua | 1969 | Indonesia | No | No | Yes | |
Northern Mariana Islands | 1969 | United States | No | No | Yes | |
Bahrain | 1970 | United Kingdom | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Niue | 1974 | New Zealand | Majority for associated status | Associated status achieved | Yes | Became an associated state of New Zealand. |
Comoros | 1974 | France | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mayotte remained with France. |
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands | 1975 | United States | No | No | Yes | |
Guam | 1976 | No | No | Yes | ||
Aruba | 1977 | Netherlands | Yes | No | Yes | Independence plans dropped in 1994. |
Djibouti | 1977 | France | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Nevis | 1977 | Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla | Yes | No | No | Unofficial referendum to become independent from Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla and attain Crown colony status within the British Empire. Unrecognized by the central government. |
Quebec | 1980 | Canada | No | No | Yes | |
Ciskei | 1980 | South Africa | Yes | De facto | Partial | Recognized by South Africa; not by the international community. |
Guam | 1982 | United States | No | No | Yes | |
Micronesia | 1983 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Became an associated state of the United States. | |
Marshall Islands | 1983 | No | No | Yes | ||
Palau | 1983 | No | No | Yes | Became an associated state of the United States. | |
1984 | No | No | Yes | |||
Cocos (Keeling) Islands | 1984 | Australia | No | No | Yes | |
Falkland Islands | 1986 | United Kingdom | No | No | Yes | |
New Caledonia | 1987 | France | No | No | Yes | |
Slovenia | 1990 | Yugoslavia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Unilaterally declared independence. |
Armenia | 1991 | Soviet Union | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Azerbaijan | 1991 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
Croatia | 1991 | Yugoslavia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Unilaterally declared independence. |
Estonia | 1991 | Soviet Union | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Georgia | 1991 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
Kosova | 1991 | Yugoslavia | Yes | No | No | Only recognized by Albania. |
Latvia | 1991 | Soviet Union | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Lithuania | 1991 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
Macedonia | 1991 | Yugoslavia | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Nagorno-Karabakh | 1991 | Soviet Union | Yes | De facto | No | Unilaterally declared independence. |
Ukraine | 1991 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
Transnistria | 1991 | Yes | De facto | No | Unilaterally declared independence. | |
Gagauz Republic | 1991 | Yes | De facto[3] | No | Unilaterally separated from Moldova; reintegrated into the country in 1995. | |
Turkmenistan | 1991 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
Uzbekistan | 1991 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1992 | Yugoslavia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Unilaterally declared independence. |
Montenegro | 1992 | No | No | Yes | Montenegro split from Serbia and Montenegro in 2006. | |
South Ossetia | 1992 | Georgia | Yes | De facto | No | Unilaterally declared independence. |
Tatarstan | 1992 | Russia | Yes | Yes | No | Reintegrated with Russia in 1994. |
Eritrea | 1993 | Ethiopia | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
United States Virgin Islands | 1993 | United States | No | No | Yes | |
Puerto Rico | 1993 | No | No | Yes | ||
Curaçao | 1993 | Netherlands | No | No | Yes | |
Bonaire | 1994 | No | No | Yes | ||
Sint Maarten | 1994 | No | No | Yes | ||
Saba | 1994 | No | No | Yes | ||
Sint Eustatius | 1994 | No | No | Yes | ||
Bermuda | 1995 | United Kingdom | No | No | Yes | |
Quebec | 1995 | Canada | No | No | Yes | |
Seborga | 1995[4] | Italy | Yes | No | No | Regarded as a micronation. |
Anjouan | 1997 | Comoros | Yes | De facto | No | Reintegrated with the Comoros in 2001. |
Nevis | 1998 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Yes | No | Yes | 2/3 majority was required for independence. |
Puerto Rico | 1998 | United States | No | No | Yes | |
East Timor | 1999 | Indonesia | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Sint Maarten | 2000 | Netherlands | No | No | Yes | |
Somaliland | 2001 | Somalia | Yes | De facto | No | |
Bonaire | 2004 | Netherlands | No | No | Yes | |
Saba | 2004 | No | No | Yes | ||
Kurdistan | 2005 | Iraq | Yes | No | No | |
Curaçao | 2005 | Netherlands | No | No | Yes | |
Sint Eustatius | 2005 | No | No | Yes | ||
Montenegro | 2006 | Serbia and Montenegro | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
South Ossetia | 2006 | Georgia | Yes | De facto | No | |
Transnistria | 2006 | Moldova | Yes | De facto | No | |
Tokelau | 2006 | New Zealand | Majority for associated status but Quorum not reached |
Associated status not achieved | Yes | The referendum was on whether Tokelau should become an associated state of New Zealand. 2/3 majority was required. |
2007 | Majority for associated status but Quorum not reached |
Associated status not achieved | Yes | |||
Tamil Eelam | 2009-2010 | Sri Lanka | Yes | No | No | Unofficial referendum. Unrecognized by the government of Sri Lanka. |
South Sudan | 2011 | Sudan | Yes[5] | Yes | Yes | |
Puerto Rico | 2012 | United States | No | No | Yes | |
Donetsk | 2014 | Ukraine | Yes[6] | De facto[7] | No | Unilaterally declared independence. |
Luhansk | 2014 | Yes[6] | De facto[7] | No | Unilaterally declared independence. | |
Veneto | 2014 | Italy | Yes | No | No | Unofficial referendum. Unrecognized by the government of Italy. |
Scotland | 2014 | United Kingdom | No | No | Yes | |
Catalonia | 2014 | Spain | Yes | No | No | |
Sint Eustatius | 2014 | Kingdom of the Netherlands | No | No | Yes | |
South Brazil | 2016 | Brazil | Yes | No | No | Unofficial referendum. Unrecognized by the government of Brazil. |
Puerto Rico | 2017 | United States | No | No | Yes | |
Kurdistan | 2017 | Iraq | Yes | No[8] | No | The referendum also took place in the disputed territories of Northern Iraq. |
Catalonia | 2017 | Spain | Yes | No[9] | No | Unilaterally declared independence. Declaration annulled by the government of Spain.[10] |
South Brazil | 2017 | Brazil | Yes | No | No | Unofficial referendum. Unrecognized by the government of Brazil. |
New Caledonia | 2018 | France | No | No | Yes | |
Bougainville | 2019 | Papua New Guinea | Yes | Subject to negotiation[11] | Yes | Nonbinding vote.[12] Independence rests with Papua New Guinea's parliament.[13] |
New Caledonia | 2020 | France | No | No[14] | Yes | |
2021 | No | No | Yes | Boycotted by pro-independence parties.[15] |
See also
- Balkanization
- Declaration of independence
- Decolonization
- Ethnic nationalism
- Independence movement
- Kosovo independence precedent
- List of irredentist claims or disputes
- List of monarchy referendums
- List of proposed state mergers
- List of sovereign states
- List of territorial disputes
- Lists of active separatist movements
- Political status
- Right to exist
- Secession
- Self-determination
- Self-governance
- Sovereignty
- Succession of states
- Territorial integrity
- Wars of national liberation
Further reading
- Harguindéguy, J.-B., Sánchez, E. S., & Sánchez, A. S. (2021). "Why do central states accept holding independence referendums? Analyzing the role of state peripheries." Electoral Studies.
- Juve J. Cortés Rivera (2020). "Creating new states: the strategic use of referendums in secession movements." Territory, Politics, Governance
References
- ^ "Neverendum referendum: Voting on independence, Quebec-style". BBC News Online. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
- ^ Walling, A. Wati; Agrawal, Ankush; Phom, B. Henshet (1 January 2018). Democracy In Nagaland: Tribes, Traditions, and Tensions. Highlander Press. ISBN 9780692070314.
- ^ Marcin Kosienkowski (2017) The Gagauz Republic: An Autonomism-Driven De Facto State The Soviet and Post-Soviet Review, volume 44, no. 3, pp292–313
- ^ Roth, Christopher F. (March 2015). Let's Split! A Complete Guide to Separatist Movements and Aspirant Nations, from Abkhazia to Zanzibar (PDF). Litwin Books, LLC. p. 90.
In 1995, Giorgio held a referendum, with Seborgans opting for independence 304-4.
- ^ South Sudan backs independence – results
- ^ a b "In eastern Ukraine, polls close amid allegations of double-voting - CNN.com". CNN. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ a b "Russia Praises Ukraine's Autonomy Law for Rebel Areas". WSJ. 17 September 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ "Iraqi Kurds offer to 'freeze' independence referendum result". BBC. 25 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
- ^ Catalonia independence: Spain takes charge of Catalan government BBC News, 28 October 2017
- ^ Suspendida la declaración de independencia de Cataluña (in Spanish)
- ^ Lyons, Kate (2019-12-10). "Bougainville referendum: region votes overwhelmingly for independence from Papua New Guinea". The Guardian. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
- ^ "Bougainville referendum not binding - PM". Radio New Zealand. 2019-03-11. Retrieved 2019-03-18.
- ^ Mckenna, Kylie; Ariku, Emelda (19 November 2021). "Bougainville independence: recalling promises of international help". The Interpreter. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
- ^ Sartre, Julien; Doherty, Ben (4 October 2020). "New Caledonia rejects independence from France for second time". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
- ^ "New Caledonia pro-independence parties reject referendum result". Al Jazeera. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.