Lists of historical separatist movements
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (April 2011) |
This is a list of historical separatist movements around the world. Separatism includes autonomism and secessionism. Most separatist movements do not succeed in their goal, therefore only notable ones are listed here; however, not all listed here succeeded in their goal.
Africa
Algeria
(gained independence from France on July 5, 1962)
- Political party: Algerian National Movement (MNA)
- Rebel organization: Front de Libération Nationale (FLN)
- Parallel government: Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic (GPRA)
Angola
- Political party: Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA)
- Parallel government: Revolutionary Government of Angola in Exile (GRAE)
Botswana
- Political party: Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Botswana People's Party (BPP)
Burundi
- Political party: Union for National Progress (UPRONA)
Cameroon
- Political party: Rassemblement camerounais (RACAM), Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (UPC)
- Rebel organizations: National Liberation Army of Kamerun (ALNK)
Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau
- Political party: African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), Struggle Front for the National Independence of Guinea (FLING)
Central African Republic
- Political party: Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa (MÉSAN)
Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Political party: Mouvement National Congolais (MNC), ABAKO
Côte d'Ivoire
- Rebel organization: Patriotic Movement of Côte d'Ivoire (MPCI)
Egypt
- Political party: Wafd Party
Eritrea
- Rebel organization: Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF), Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF)
France
- Autonomist movement
- Political party: Communist Party of Réunion (which still exists, but has abandoned its goal of autonomy)[1]
Ghana
- Political party: Convention People's Party (CPP), United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC)
- Self-government experiment: Fante Confederation
Katanga
- Political party: Confederation of the Tribal Associations of Katanga (CONAKAT)
Kenya
- Political party: East Africa Association, Kenya African National Union (KANU), Kikuyu Central Association, Young Kikuyu Association
- Rebel organization: Mau Mau
Mali
- Political party: Sudanese Union (US)
Martyazo
- Rebel organisation: Hutu
Mauritius
- Political party: Mauritius Labour Party (MLP), Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM)
Morocco
- Political party: Istiqlal Party, National Action Bloc
- Secessionist entity: Rif Republic
Mozambique
- Political party: Mozambican Liberation Front (FRELIMO)
Namibia
- Political party: South-West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), South West Africa National Union (SWANU)
- Rebel organizations: People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN),
Niger
- Political party: Nigerien Progressive Party, Sawaba
Nigeria
- Political party: Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), Action Group, Egbe Omo Oduduwa, Northern People's Congress
- Secessionist entity: Republic of Biafra
São Tomé and Príncipe
- Political party: Committee for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (CLSTP), Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (MLSTP)
Seychelles
- Political party: Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP), Seychelles People's United Party (SPUP)
Sierra Leone
- Political party: Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), West African Youth League (WAYL)
South Africa
- Secessionist movement: Eastern Cape Separatist League
Somalia
- Political party: Somali Youth League (SYL)
Somaliland
- Rebel organization: Somali National Movement (SNM)
Sudan
- Political party: Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Sudanese Communist Party, Umma Party
Tanganyika
- Political party: Tanganyika African Association, Tanganyika African National Union
Tunisia
- Political party: Destour, Young Tunisians, Neo Destour (ND)
Uganda
- Political party: Rwenzururu Secessionist Movement, Uganda People's Congress (UPC)
Zambia
- Political party: Northern Rhodesian African National Congress, United National Independence Party (UNIP), Zambian African National Congress (ZANC)
Zanzibar
- Political party: Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP), Zanzibar Nationalist Party (ZNP)
Zimbabwe
- Political party: Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU)
- Rebel organizations: Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA), Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA)
Asia
Bangladesh
- People: Jumma people
- Political party: Porbotto Chottogram Jonshonghoti Shomiti
- Rebel organisation: Shanti Bahini
- Proposed state: Autonomous Hill Tribes
- Status: Inactive following the 1996 peace treaty between the Government of Bangladesh and the tribal leaders.
- People: Bengali Hindus
- Political party: Swadhin Bangabhumi Andolan
- Rebel organisation: Banga Sena
- Proposed State: Bangabhumi
China
- De facto state:
Great Mongolian State
- Political organization: Bogd Khanate
- Proposed state:
Mongolian People's Republic
- Political party: Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party
France (associated territories)
- Proposed state:
Kingdom of Cambodia
- Political organization: Khmer Issarak
- Proposed state:
Laos - Militant organization: Lao Issara, Pathet Lao
- Proposed state:
Democratic Republic of Vietnam
- Political organization: Viet Minh
- Political organization: National Bloc
India
- People: Sikh
- Militant organisation: Khalistan Liberation Force, Babbar Khalsa, Khalistan Commando Force
- Proposed state: Khalistan
- Status: Separatist movement crushed
- People: Tripuri
- Militant organisation: National Liberation Front of Tripura, All Tripura Tiger Force
- Proposed state: Tipperaland
- Status: Separatist movement crushed
- People: Garo, Khasi
- Militant organisation: Garo National Liberation Army, Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council
- Proposed state: Garoland, Hynniewtrep
- Status: Separatist movement crushed
- People: Bodo
- Militant organisation: National Democratic Front of Boroland
- Proposed state: Boroland
- Status: Separatist groups disbanded, surrender agreement signed with government.
- People: Karbi
- Militant organisation: Karbi Longri N.C. Hills Liberation Front, United People's Democratic Solidarity
- Proposed state: Hemprek Kangthim
- Status: Separatist movement crushed
- People: Dimasa
- Militant organisation: Dima Halam Daogah
- Proposed state: Dimaraji
- Status: Separatist movement crushed
- People: Tani
- Militant organisation: National Liberation Council of Taniland
- Proposed state: Taniland
- Status: Separatist movement crushed
Indonesia
- Proposed state:
Aceh
- Militant organization: Free Aceh Movement
- Proposed state: Republic of Riau
- Independence organization: Free Riau Movement
- Proposed state:
Timor-Leste
- Political party: Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor
Iran
- Proposed state:
Republic of Mahabad
- Militant organization:Democratic Party of Kurdistan
- Proposed state:
Azerbaijan People's Government
- Militant organization:Azerbaijani Democratic Party
- Proposed state: Autonomous Government of Khorasan
Japan
- De facto state: Republic of Ezo
Maldives
- Proposed state: United Suvadive Republic
Netherlands (associated territories)
- Proposed state:
Republic of Indonesia
- Political party: Nationalist Party of Indonesia
Oman
- Militant organizations: Dhofar Liberation Front (DLF), Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman (PFLO), Popular Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf/Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman and the Arabian Gulf (PFLOAG)
Pakistan
- People: Bengalis (East Pakistanis)
- Political party: Bangladesh Awami League
- Rebel organization: Mukti Bahini
- De facto state:
People's Republic of Bangladesh - Status: Resulted in independence of Bangladesh in 1971 after the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Philippines
Bangsamoro (Mindanao, Sulu Islands, and Palawan)
- Proposed state:
Bangsamoro Republik (MNLF)
- Political organization: Moro National Liberation Front
- Militant organization: Bangsamoro Armed Forces
- Proposed state: Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (originally for independence)
- Political organization: Moro Islamic Liberation Front
- Militant organization: Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces
Saudi Arabia
- Proposed state:
Kingdom of Hejaz
Spain (associated territories)
- Philippine archipelago
- Secessionist entities:
Katagalugan, 
Republic of the Philippines, 
Cantonal Republic of Negros, Republic of Zamboanga
- Militant organization: Katipunan
- Society: La Liga Filipina
- Ilocos
- Secessionist state:
Free Ilocos
- Secessionist state:
- Secessionist entities:
Sri Lanka
- Proposed state: Tamil Eelam
- Political party: Tamil National Alliance
- Militant organisation: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
- Advocacy groups: Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam, Global Tamil Forum
- Government in exile: Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam[2]
Syria
- Proposed state:Jabal Druze State
- Rebel organization:Jaysh al-Muwahhidin
United Kingdom (associated territories)
- Political organization: Dobama Asiayone
- Militant organization: Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League, Burma Independence Army, Communist Party of Burma
- Proposed state:
India
- Political party: All India Forward Bloc, Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India, Swaraj Party, Ghadar Party
- Parallel government: Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad Hind
- Rebel organization: Indian National Army
- Political party: Muslim League responsible for Pakistan Movement
- Proposed state:
Federation of Malaya - Political party: Alliance Party (United Malays National Organisation, Malayan Chinese Association, and Malayan Indian Congress)
United States (associated territories)
- Political party: Nacionalista Party
- Proposed state:
Republic of the Philippines
- Ethnic group: Maranao
- Proposed state: Separate independence for Mindanao from the Luzon and Visayas regions. (See Dansalan Declaration)
Europe
Albania
Belgium
- Political parties
- Flemish
Bulgaria
- Political party: Bulgarian Revolutionary Central Committee, Internal Revolutionary Organisation
Cyprus
- Rebel organizations: EOKA, Turkish Resistance Organisation
Czech Republic
- Political party: Young Czech Party, Czech National Social Party
Finland
- Political movement: Fennoman
- Political party: Finnish Party, Young Finnish Party
Åland Islands
- Political movement: Åland movement
France
Basque Country (also in Spain)
- Political parties: Basque Nationalist Party, Basque Unity
- Rebel organization: Basque homeland and Freedom (ETA)
Corsica
- Political parties: Corsica Nazione, Partitu di a Nazione Corsa
Brittany
- Political parties: Union Démocratique Bretonne, Breton Party
- Rebel organization: Breton Revolutionary Army, Liberation Front of Brittany
Alsace
- Political parties : Alsace d'abord *
Germany
- Short-lived Republic: Rhenish Republic
- Lower Saxony
- Alemannic Separatism
- Bavarian Soviet Republic
Greece
(gained independence from Ottoman Empire after the Greek War of Independence)
- Society: Filiki Eteria
- Unrecognized state: Areopagus of Eastern Continental Greece, Peloponnesian Senate, Senate of Western Continental Greece, Provisional Administration of Greece (after 1822)
- Militant organisations: Armatoloi/Klephts, Sacred Band, Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy
Ireland
(See also under UK, for pre-division Ireland)
- Home Rule League
- Irish National League
- Irish Parliamentary Party
- Irish Republican Brotherhood
- Provisional Government of the Irish Republic
- Sinn Féin
- Society of United Irishmen
- United Irish League
- Young Ireland
Italy
Republic of Macedonia
- Albanian-inhabited communities in SR Macedonia and Republic of Macedonia
- Ethnic group: Albanians
- Political parties: Democratic Party of Albanians, Party for Democratic Prosperity
- Goals: Autonomy (1994–99), independence and/or unification with Republic of Kosovo (2000–01)
- Events: Insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia
- Timespan: 1994–2001
- Serbian-inhabited communities in SR Macedonia
- Ethnic group: Serbs
- Political parties: Democratic Party of Serbs in Macedonia, Radical Party of the Serbs in Macedonia
- Goals: Autonomy (Serbian Autonomous Region of Kumanovo Valley and Skopska Crna Gora)[3]
- Timespan: 1992
Poland
- Narodowa Demokracja
- Towarzystwo Demokratyczne Polskie (Polish Democratic Society)
- Union of Upper Silesians
- Silesian People's Party
- Association of Defense of Upper Silesians
Slovakia
- Political party: Slovak National Party
Soviet Union
- Political parties:
- Azerbaijani Popular Front Party
- Belarusian People's Front
- Rahvarinne
- Popular Front of Latvia, Latvian National Independence Movement
- Sąjūdis
- Moldovan Popular Front
- People's Movement of Ukraine (Rukh)
- Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists
- Ukrainian Insurgent Army
Spain
- Basque Country Basque Country (also in France)
- Political parties: Aralar Party, Basque Nationalist Party, Batasuna, Eusko Abertzale Ekintza, Eusko Alkartasuna, Nafarroa Bai
- Rebel organizations: Basque homeland and Freedom (ETA), SEGI
Catalonia
- Political parties: Convergence and Union (Democratic Convergence of Catalonia + Democratic Union of Catalonia), Republican Left of Catalonia, Catalan State, Popular Unity Candidacy, Democrats of Catalonia, Left Movement, Catalan Solidarity for Independence, Reagrupament, National Front of Catalonia
- Rebel organizations: Terra Lliure (disbanded), Exèrcit Popular Català (disbanded)
- Organizations: Assemblea Nacional Catalana, Òmnium Cultural
- Labour unions: Intersindical-CSC, Coordinadora Obrera Sindical
Galicia
- Political Parties: Galician Nationalist Bloc, Nós-Unidade Popular
Asturias
- Political parties: Bloque por Asturies, Unidá Nacionalista Asturiana, Andecha Astur
- Rebel organization: Andecha Obrera (disbanded)
Canary Islands
- Political party: Congreso Nacional de Canarias, Frepic-Awañak, Unión del Pueblo Canario
- Organizations: MPAIAC
- Armed groups: Fuerzas Armadas Guanches
Turkey
- Political party: Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Social Democrat Hunchakian Party, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar Party)
- Rebel organization: Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia
United Kingdom (and associated territories)
Cornwall: - New Cornish Tertia army, An Gof, Cornish Solidarity
England - Free England Party, English People's Liberation Army[citation needed]
Northumbria - Northern Independence Party,Independent Northern England, Democratic socialism,- Northern Ireland: Irish Republican Brotherhood, Clan na Gael, Young Ireland, Home Rule League, Irish Socialist Republican Party, Irish Parliamentary Party, All-for-Ireland League, Nationalist Party (Northern Ireland), Irish Independence Party
Isle of Man: Fo Halloo, Manx National Party- Mercia: The Mercia Movement, Sovereign Mercia
Scotland: Scottish National Liberation Army
Wales: Cymru Fydd, Cymru Goch, Welsh Socialist Alliance, Welsh Republican Movement
Isle of Wight: Vectis National Party
Yugoslavia
Croatia (SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia)- Ethnic group: Croats
- Political parties: Croatian Democratic Union, Croatian Party of Rights, Croatian Peasant Party
- Armed organizations: Croatian National Guard
- Events: Croatian Spring, War in Croatia
- Goals: Independence
- Republic of Kosovo (AP Kosovo and Metohija, SR Serbia, FR Yugoslavia)
- Ethnic group: Albanians in Kosovo
- Political parties: Democratic League of Kosovo, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Democratic Party of Kosovo, National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo, The People's Movement for Kosovo
- Armed organizations: Kosovo Liberation Army, Armed Forces of the Republic of Kosovo
- Events: Insurgency in Kosovo (1993–98), Kosovo War
- Goals: Larger autonomy (until 1989); Independence (1990–2003)
- Ethnic group: Albanians in south Serbia
- Events: Insurgency in the Preševo Valley
- Goals: Unification with Republic of Kosovo
North America
Antigua and Barbuda
- Political party: Antigua Labour Party
Belize
- Political party: People's United Party
Bahamas
- Abaco (defunct)
- Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)
British West Indies
- Political party: Caribbean League
- Secessionist entity: West Indies Federation
Canada
Secessionist
- Nova Scotia
- Political: Anti-Confederation Party
- Ontario
- Quebec
- Pressure group: Alliance Laurentienne, Chevaliers de l'Indépendance, Mouvement de Libération Nationale du Québec, Réseau de Résistance du Québécois
- Political party: Mouvement Souveraineté-Association, Option citoyenne, Parti de la Democratie Socialiste, Parti indépendantiste, Parti nationaliste du Québec, Option nationale, Ralliement National, Rassemblement pour l'Indépendance Nationale, Union des forces progressistes, Parti québécois, Union Populaire, Québec solidaire
- Rebel organization: Société des Fils de la Liberté, Frères Chasseurs, Comité de libération nationale (Quebec), Réseaux de résistance, Armée révolutionnaire du Québec, Front de libération du Québec
- Western Canada
Autonomist
- Acadia
- Political party: Parti Acadien
- Cape Breton Island
- Political party: Cape Breton Labour Party
- the Maritimes
- Political party: the Maritimes
- Ontario
- Political party: Northern Ontario Heritage Party
- Quebec
- Political party: Action démocratique du Québec
Costa Rica
- Political party: Independent Guanacaste Party
Dominica
- Political party: Dominica Labour Party
Guyana
- Political party: People's Progressive Party
- Political party: People's National Congress
Jamaica
- Political party: Jamaica Labour Party, People's National Party
Haiti
- Cacos (anti-US occupation)
Mexico
- Secessionist
- California Republic
- Chan Santa Cruz
- Republic of Fredonia
- Republic of the Rio Grande
- Republic of Texas
- Republic of Yucatán
- Republic of Baja California
- Republic of Sonora
Nicaragua
- Ejército Defensor de la Soberanía Nacional (anti-US occupation)
Panama
Trinidad and Tobago
- Political party: People's National Movement
- Political party: Tobago Organisation of the People
United States
- American Revolution
- Aztlán
- Confederate States of America
- New England's Secession Conventions of 1803, 1808, 1814, and 1843
- Republic of New Afrika
- State of Franklin, secessionist North Carolina western territory (1784–1789)
- State of Muskogee, secessionist Florida territory (1799 - 1803)
- For historic Texas separatist movements, see Mexico, above.
Puerto Rico
- Autonomist Party
- Popular Democratic Party (PPD)
- Anti-Colonial National Liberation Movement
South America
Argentina
- Mendoza
- Political party: Mendoexit
- Proposed state: Mendoza Republic
- Patagonia
- Proposed state:
Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia
- Proposed state:
Brazil
Rio Grande do Sul
- Political party: Movimento da República Rio-Grandense
- Proposed state:
Riograndense Republic
Santa Catarina
- Political party: Frente de Libertação da República Catarinense
- Proposed state:
Juliana Republic
São Paulo
- Political party: Movimento República de São Paulo, Movimento São Paulo Independente, Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932, 1924 Paulista Revolt, 1887 Manifest, Acclaim of Amador Bueno.
- Proposed state:
Republic of São Paulo
- Parts of
Pernambuco, 
Paraíba and 
Ceará
- Proposed state:
Confederation of the Equator
- Proposed state:
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Bolivia
- Media Luna
- Political party: Nación Camba
Chile
- Araucanía
- Proposed state: Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia
- Proposed state:
Colombia
- Parts of Andean Region
- Rebel organization:
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) - Secessionist entities: Marquetalia Republic and several other communist-oriented Independent Republics
- Rebel organization:
Antioquia
- Pressure Group: Antioquia Rebelde (part of Medellin Cartel)
Arauca
- Secessionist entity: Republic of Arauca
Caribbean Region
- Pressure Group: Liga Costeña
- Cauca
- Goals: Annexation to Ecuador
- Isthmus
- Secessionist entity: Isthmus State
- Parts of
Nariño
- Panama
- Political Party: Panamian Liberal Party
- Proposed State:
Republic of Panama
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Peru
Loreto
- Political party:
Liga Loretana
- Political party:
Spanish America
Oceania
Australia
Tasmania[4] (See: Secessionism in Tasmania)
Western Australia (See: Secessionism in Western Australia)
Eastern New Guinea
- Proposed state: Papua
- Political party: Papua Besena
New Zealand
- Proposed autonomous region: New Munster
- Political parties: South Island Party
- Pressure group: Southern Separation League
- Protest movement: Mau movement
United Kingdom (associated territories)
- Protest movement: Maasina Ruru
See also
- List of national liberation movements recognized by intergovernmental organizations
- List of historical unrecognized states
- List of historical separatist movements in Africa
- List of historical separatist movements in Asia
- List of historical separatist movements in Europe
- List of historical separatist movements in North America
- List of historical separatist movements in Oceania
- List of historical separatist movements in South America
References
- ^ Cairn Article (in French) "De son côté, le parti communiste s’impose à La Réunion comme la principale formation politique après avoir abjuré son mot d’ordre d’autonomie"
- ^ Peacehalle.com
- ^ Janusz Bugajski (1994). Ethnic Politics in Eastern Europe: A Guide to Nationality Policies, Organizations, and Parties. M.E. Sharpe. p. 122. ISBN 9781563242823.
- ^ Petrow, Stefan (2006). "Secession". utas.edu.au/. University of Tasmania, Australia - Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies. Retrieved 3 December 2013.