Out of all territories that the British controlled, was the US the only territory to rebel and succeed?

Question

I am not a history scholar, but as far as I know, the United States is the only territory that the British controlled which rebelled and became its own sovereign nation. Is this true?

Answer 1

As far as I could tell you, the thirteen colonies that became the United States were the only sucessfull rebellion in the British Empire where clear alternate government was established and a concerted effort was made to oust the British authorities. In that respect the United States in unique.

Now throughout the rest of the empire there is numerous instances of violent opposition to imperial rule which succeeded in bringing some form of sucession or devolvement from the Empire. As a rule however, what occurred was a combination of terrorist campaigns or unorganized guerilla warfare which made the colony ungovernable for the British and caused them to withdraw. (Note that is a "rule" or generalization. It doesn't apply to every circumstance) As to which of these new states would make the short list of "successful rebellions", it would depend entirely upon your definition of concepts like "rebellion", "independence", and "empire". There is alot of shades of gray.

For example, India. The movement that is credited for securing Indian independence from the empire was that of Gandhi's non-violence. Does that constitute a rebellion? If it does than it is sucessful. I noticed that Pakistan was included on some other responder's lists. Well, technically, Pakistan didn't free itself so much from the empire as it did from India. In the British withdrawal plan, the intent was to foster a unified Indian super state. That was Gandhi's intent as well. Problem was Muslims and Hindus just couldn't get along and so the super state was split into two violently. Now that would certainly constitute a rebellion, but of what sort? Was it against the British? The independent India was considered to be a free state of it's own that maintained ties to Britain only through the mechanisms of the Commonwealth just as Canada or Australia did. Britain may have been still quite involved, but was this an exercise of empire? That's one you'll have to answer on your own.

Anyway, one could go on forever. Every circumstance was different. Some colonies became Dominions, some seceeded outright (Ireland did both. Tried being a dominion, couldn't get along, and broke up into Northern Ireland and the Republic). Some turned into self governing entities under the Union Jack (Bermuda). Some stayed direct colonies (Gibraltar, Falklands). Yes the US was a stand out in the crowd, but it was not entirely unique.

Answer 2

There have been minor insurrections in almost every British colony throughout the last four centuries. The only violent revolution to succeed was the American Revolution guaranteeing American independence. India rebelled against British rule, but through non-violent means. They were granted independence in 1947/48. Australia is still a member of the British Empire, though self-governed. They were granted Dominion status in 1901. New Zealand also received Dominion status in 1907. South Africa broke away from the British Commonwealth in 1961 over the issue of apartheid-this was a non-violent break. In 1956, the Sudan voted for independence and was granted such by the British. Between 1945 and 1970, all other British possessions in Africa were granted independence willingly by the British government. Canada became a Dominion in 1867, the first of such. The United States was not the only British colony to rebel, but the only to succeed by violent insurrection. Most British territories were granted independence by the declining superpower in the early 20th Century. The cost of managing large colonies all throughout the world after fighting two world wars and countless smaller wars became too great for even a superpower to handle.

Answer 3

2 questions yet no longer proper, as they challenge diverse places, human beings and prerequisites. Gibraltar become taken removed from Spain because of a conflict between Britain and Spain. on condition that that factor, the human beings residing in Gibraltar have prevented all of the Franco years and been dealt with as British matters. Britain has, greater those days, reported that Gibraltar may be exceeded over to Spain, however the inhabitants of Gibraltar do no longer want to lose their British sovereignty. The Spanish territories in Morocco are no longer proper to the challenge of Gibraltar. A Treaty relationship lower back to the 1970's announces that there will be no substitute made to international borders, without the settlement of the inhabitants who would be tormented by the substitute.

Answer 4

Ireland

Answer 5

You aren't a scholar, okay, but haven't you ever heard of Gandhi?
He would be the guy that lead the India Independence Movement

Answer 6

Absolute rubbish.
The republic of Ireland, Aden, Cyprus, India, Pakistan, Kenya to name but a few.

Answer 7

Armed Rebellion, many have tried, US suceeded.A few Carribean Islands have tried. Some the Empire of Britain let go of, or allowed them Self Goverment.

Answer 8

Nearly all the questions I see here are patently class assignments that some kid is trying to get and print out and turn in as though he did the research. This makes me welcome the abundant misinformation that one sees in reponse to some questions.

Now, if only all classroom teachers could recognize the misinformation.

Answer 9

Yet aren't Australia & India still using the Queen's money, and subject to her rule?
Sorry if I am wrong, I'm a historidiot.

Answer 10

Australia did not rebel.

India did. Ireland did. (northern) France did (Joan of Arc era). There may have been others.