What countries have not been colonized by other nations? Not many countries have never been colonized by Europeans. In this article, countries outside the European continent will be discussed that have not been colonized or colonized by Europeans.
Colonialism or colonization is an effort of a nation to colonize, control and control the people and resources of other nations. Between the 16th and 20th centuries, the power of European countries was so great and almost controlled all regions on Earth. They succeeded in colonizing many countries in Asia, Africa, America, and Australia.
For example, Indonesia has been colonized by the Portuguese, British, Dutch and Japanese from Asia. In the end, Indonesia became independent after the proclamation in 1945. Many other Asian and African countries were colonized by Europeans.
Great European powers such as Britain, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Italy to Turkey (the Ottoman Empire) did control many regions and countries, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries, and in the early 20th century.
The peak was World War I and World War II. At the end of World War II, an agreement was made to stop colonialism along with the establishment of the United Nations (United Nations). All forms of occupation are also categorized as international human rights violations.
In history, there were only a few countries that were spared from European occupation. Countries outside Europe that have succeeded in avoiding occupation, for example, are Japan, Thailand, Ethiopia, Liberia, and Iran / Persia.
Why and how are they now? Here are some countries that have never been colonized as quoted from various sources.
1. Ethiopia
The country located in the African Continent is the second largest population in Africa. Ethiopia is one country that has never felt cruel during the colonial period. When the Europeans colonized the African continent from 1880 to 1914, about 90% of the African continent had been ruled by Europe. However, Ethiopia is still able to maintain its full sovereignty.
There are also those who argue that Ethiopia was truly colonized by Italians from 1936 to 1941, but this problem is still questionable because there is no strong evidence to respond to this assumption.
2. Bhutan
Bhutan is one of the countries that are difficult to develop because the area is quite isolated. This country is located near the Himalayan mountain which automatically makes it a difficult area to attack.
During the years 1772 to 1774, British forces tried to attack and control several areas in Bhutan. But it ended peacefully with negotiations and payment of 5 horses.
3. Nepal
Nepal is one of the Asian countries that have never been colonized. The country which was established on December 21, 1768, is directly adjacent to China in the north and India in the east. Nepal is a country that applies a royal system in its government.
His first king was Prithvi Narayan Shah. In an official website, it is said that Nepal which is under the protection of Britain has never been colonized by other nations in the world. But in a number of history books scattered throughout the world mention various kinds of opinions regarding colonialism in this country.
4. Japan
Japan is also one of the countries in Asia that have never been colonized by other countries. Instead of being colonized, Japan actually became the invaders of the country's people. This country of Sakura has been one of the invaders of our beloved country, Indonesia. Admittedly, Japan is fairly strong enough to be subdued.
Besides being able to survive from foreign colonies, the Japanese government has had a strong influence in several countries such as Taiwan, Korea, and South Sakhalin. Aware of the Western invasion, the Japanese responded by choosing the Meiji Restoration in 1868. This event succeeded in defeating Qing China in the Sino-Japanese First War. And when Russia wanted to invade, Japanese forces were ready and won the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. When World War II occurred, Japan succeeded in annexing Korea and Manchuria, becoming colonial powers.
5. Liberia
Liberia officially became a country in 1847. But before that, a number of countries in Europe such as Britain, Portugal, and the Netherlands had built a number of trade posts in Liberia. Almost all regions in Liberia must have trade posts built by Britain, Portugal and the Netherlands.
In addition to these three countries, the United States at that time stated that they had established colonial policies in Liberia for several periods. The proof, The Cape Mesurado Colony, a slave-specific place from the United States, was built in the Grain Coast region in 1821. But because of the short period of time and the lack of strong American influence, allowing Liberia to remain a free country.
6. Thailand
There are important figures who are very instrumental in history Thailand. This figure made Thailand free from foreign colonies. The figure in question is King Chulalongkorn. During the 19th century, Thailand was known as the Siamese Kingdom. And the kingdom was led by King Chulalongkorn. The kingdom is located between Indochina which consists of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia and Burma or what is now called Myanmar. This Indochina country was controlled by France, while Burma was ruled by Britain. To prevent European colonization, King Chulalongkorn adopted a number of European technologies. King Chulalongkorn also made diplomatic efforts in Britain. This minimizes the possibility of colonization by Europe and France.
7. Iran
Iran The 1800s were times of gloom from Iran. How not, in those days, the Russian and British countries competed with each other to gain control of the Middle East region. Russia succeeded in controlling several regions in the North such as Turkmenistan in the 19th century. On the other hand, England managed to get power in the Eastern region of the Persian Empire.
In that period, most of the territory of Iran was under the influence of the Qatar Dynasty. At that time, the Qatar Dynasty could do this because it borrowed some money from banks in Europe. Unable to pay debts, Britain and Russia made an agreement to control a large part of Persia. However, the Persian Empire did not approve the agreement. And this makes Iran unsuccessful in both Britain and Russia.
8. Tonga
Tonga Although it looks small and has nothing, it does not guarantee Tonga is free from colonies. There is one country in Europe that has enough interest in this country. Tonga or the Kingdom of Tonga is a state of Polynesian sovereignty that forms as an archipelago. There are 169 islands in Tonga, of which 36 islands are still uninhabited.
In 1900, Tonga became a country under British protection. It is the Treaty of Friendship agreement that contains an agreement between the Kingdom of Tonga and England. England also established its consul in Tonga until 1970, but there were no permanent representatives. Until this moment, Tonga has managed to maintain its status as an independent country.
9. Afganistan
Afghanistan Britain and Russia are not only interested in the Persian Empire, but they are also interested in Afghanistan, a country surrounded by land located in South Asia and Central Asia. Being the target of the British and Russians, the Afghan government did not remain silent and seek reason so that they would not be colonized by them.
The Afghan government immediately increased the military power they had. In 1839, the first war between Afghanistan and Britain was called Anglo-Afghan. After losing, the British again tried to conquer Afghanistan by carrying out a second war which took place between 1878 and 1880. The British were finally able to negotiate foreign relations, while Afghanistan maintained domestic control.
10. Korea
Korea Before parting in 1945, South Korea and North Korea were once a unitary state. Instead of using the word colonized, Korea used to be in the control of the Asian state. Korea was included in the state of Qing China until 1895. When the Japanese government won the Sino-Japanese War, Korea became a Japanese colony in 1910. Being a Japanese colony, this made it difficult for Korea to colonize other countries, in this case, the country in the West.
Although Korea has been in Japanese rule for more than 30 years, Korea has been freed to determine their way of life. Korea remained an independent country in 1945 during World War II.
11. Suadi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, The country known as the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the growth and development of Islam was apparently never colonized by European countries or other countries. Perhaps this is because this country is largely made up of barren deserts.
12. Islandia
Iceland was once a non-populated country. But at the beginning of the 9th century came a group of Irish priests who occupied the region. Followed later by Viking peoples who took part in the Iceland region. It was only in the 930s that this country made a constitution called Althing, a parliament-centered in the city of Thingvellir.
13. Denmark
Kopenhagen is the capital of this country. The government system used by the Danish State is Constitutional and Parliamentary Monarchy. Denmark is the founding country of the OECD and Nato and now the country is a member of the OSCE. Who would have thought this very small and remote country like Denmark had not even been colonized by another nation.
**14. Norway **
Norway is a Royal Country located on the Scandinavian peninsula at the western end bordering Finland, Russia and Sweden. This Nordic country has a beach in the very famous North Atlantic Ocean. Under the sovereignty of Norway, there are Jan Mayen and Svalbard according to the Svalbard Treaty.
**15. Greece **
This country is famous for its gods and world figures. The country with the capital city of Athens is also included in a country that has not been colonized by other countries. Even so in its history, the God-Goddess country has also entered the Ottoman Empire.[]