The meaning of the word independence

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state, in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the status of a dependent territory. The commemoration of the independence day of a country or nation celebrates when a country is free from all forms of foreign colonialism; free to build a country or nation without any interference from other nations.

Definition of independence[edit]

Whether the attainment of independence is different from revolution has long been contested, and has often been debated over the question of violence as legitimate means to achieving sovereignty.^[2] In general, revolutions aim only to redistribute power with or without an element of emancipation,such as in democratization within a state, which as such may remain unaltered. For example, the Mexican Revolution (1910) chiefly refers to a multi-factional conflict that eventually led to a new constitution; it has rarely been used to refer to the armed struggle (1821) against Spain. However, some wars of independence have been described as revolutions, such as the ones in the United States (1783) and Indonesia (1949), while some revolutions that were specifically about a change in the political structure have resulted in breakaway states. Mongolia and Finland, for example, gained their independence during the revolutions occurring in China (1911) and Russia (1917) respectively. Causes for a country or province wishing to seek independence are many, but most can be summed up as a feeling of inequality compared to the dominant power. The means can extend from intended peaceful demonstrations as in the case of India (1947), to a violent war as in the case of Algeria (1962). In some cases, a country may also have declared independence, but may only be partially recognized by other countries; such as Kosovo (2008), whose independence Serbia, from which Kosovo has seceded, has not recognized.^[3][4][5]

Distinction between independence and autonomy[edit]

Autonomy refers to a kind of independence which has been granted by an overseeing authority that itself still retains ultimate authority over that territory (see Devolution). A protectorate refers to an autonomous region that depends upon a larger government for its protection as an autonomous region.

Right to independence[edit]

During the 20th century wave of decolonization colonies gained rights to independence through documents such as the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, but this right remained mostly applicable only to unfree territorial entities, such as colonies.^[6]
How much these rights apply to all people has been a crucial point of discussion. The rights to nationality and self-determination allow clarification. The right of self-determination allows self-governance, as for example in the case of indigenous peoples, but is not a right of secession, except in extreme cases of oppression as a remedy from the oppression.^[7] Therefore the right to secession is generally determined by the legislation of sovereign states and independence by the capacity to be a state.

Declarations of independence[edit]

Sometimes, a state wishing to achieve independence from a dominating power will issue a declaration of independence; the earliest surviving example is Scotland’s Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, with the most recent examples being Azawad’s declaration of independence in 2012 and Catalan declaration of independence in 2017. Declaring independence and attaining it, however, are quite different. A well-known successful example is the U.S. Declaration of Independence issued in 1776. The dates of established independence (or, less commonly, the commencement of revolution), are typically celebrated as a national holiday known as an independence Day.

Historical overview[edit]

Historically, there have been four major periods of declaring independence:

• from the 1770s, beginning with the American Revolutionary War through the 1830s, when the last royalist bastions fell at the close of the Spanish American wars of independence;
• the immediate aftermath of the First World War following the breakup of the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, German empires;
• 1945 to circa 1979, when seventy newly independent states emerged from the European colonial empires and the collapse of the Nazi German Reich and the Empire of Japan;^[8]
• and the early 1990s, following the breakup of the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.

Continents[edit]

Continent	No.	Last Country to Gain Independence
	Africa	54	South Sudan (2011)
Americas	35	Saint Kitts and Nevis (1983)[a]
Asia	44	East Timor (2002)
Europe	50[b]	Montenegro (2006)
Oceania	14	Palau (1994)[c]
Antarctica	N/A	de facto condominium international

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• Jeremy Bentham (1830), Emancipate your colonies!: addressed to the National Convention of France Anno 1793, shewing the uselessness and mischievousness of distant dependencies to an European state (1st ed.), London, Wikidata Q19094713
• Rudyard Kipling (1924), Independence: Rectorial address delivered at St Andrews October 10 1923, Garden City: Doubleday, Wikidata Q100272896

Asked by: Malachi Feeney

Score: 4.6/5
(21 votes)

Independence is a condition of a person, nation, country, or state in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the status of a dependent territory.

What is the real meaning of independence?

True freedom is accepting and believing that you and you alone must be responsible for your life. This is how you take back control. This is how you reach your dreams. This is the spirit and foundation on which this great country was built. This is REAL independence.

What is independence in simple words?

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The word independence means «not dependent», or not having to depend on anyone or anything else. It also means being strong and able to survive alone. Anything can be dependent or independent.

What is independence of a person?

Independence is a simple concept. At its most basic level, it means having full autonomy over one’s own life.

What does independence mean example?

The definition of independence is freedom from the control or influence of others. When kids grow up and move out and start making their own decisions, this is an example of independence.

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Surely, on June 12 they will launch mobilizations shouting for «real independence from US imperialism» while the NPA will issue statements swearing to continue the armed struggle to attain ` real independence� from American control.

The use of the term independence has been a bone of contention in Plaid Cymru for decades. ❋ Unknown (2011)

To gain independence is not easy as it seems, we have to sacrifice and fight till end. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British? ❋ Unknown (2009)

His predecessor, Sukarno, had helped Indonesia win independence from the Dutch and was trying to balance the right with the left in Indonesian politics. ❋ Unknown (2008)

If we DO have another vessel, than the idea of keeping the Shuttle to maintain independence is even more preposterous since we can do that without it. ❋ Unknown (2008)

A second association involves attempts by the caliphate to gain independence from the Seljuks. ❋ Unknown (2005)

Corsica was attempting to win independence from the Italian state of Genoa. ❋ Anna Letitia (1773)

Freeway was asked how, between his label independence and the Internet age, his fan relationships have changed. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Some ethnic groups may use the word «independence» in their organization’s name. ❋ Khin Ohmar (2011)

When I established that you were Brice Burloyne’s granddaughter, I immediately suspected that what you called your independence must be substantial. ❋ Unknown (2010)

On the other hand, it might mean the winning of something better than that which I called independence; it might also mean fellowship with the really great characters of the Christian Church, and these men had always appeared very attractive to me. ❋ C. K. Ober (N/A)

They were all alike — the men after money, and the women after what they called independence! ❋ Helen Bagg (1935)

That we have not yet thoroughly assimilated the highest concept of the term independence, is due to the fact that the social form in which we live is still servile. ❋ Anne E. Montessori George (1912)

You have cherished such strange, do not be offended if I say such erroneous, ideas on the subject of what you call independence, that I feel that upon it we can consult neither with profit to you nor satisfaction to myself. ❋ Benjamin Disraeli (1842)

War had generally occupied strongly the minds of the French people, but now the only war in which they were engaged was in America, where the people fought for what they called independence, and what the French called liberty; and even this distant war in another land, and affecting another people, was on the point of termination. ❋ Alexandre Dumas P��re (1836)

1) im 15 now, i should have some [gawd] damned independence2) the [blown up], [crater] like country got its independence in 2003. ❋ Ben Ross (2004)

1. «Actually, if you do some research for yourself, [you will see] that n either radio host knows what they are talking about.»
2.»Well, I don’t agree with everything the [Democrats] say, and I don’t agree with everything the [Republicans] say; so I am my own independently thinking person.»
3.»Stupid independent.. having his own ideas when he should believe exactly what i do.» ❋ Yuskjr (2009)

[what is] [understood] [need] not be discussed. ❋ Mikey (2004)

I’m not a [democrat], I’m not a [republican]. I’m an [Independent]. ❋ Progamer124 (2003)

«The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party [dissension], which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful [despotism].»
-George Washington
«The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and [repose] in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.»
-George Washington
Independent ❋ IndependentForever (2009)

Republican: I’m going to let the poor [starve]!
[Democrat]: I’m going to make us pay [taxes] so the poor can survive without working at all!
Independent: STFU ❋ FungusCream (2011)

[Tamera] is a [very well] independent [young lady]. ❋ Meralu (2015)

It’s a basic concept called «[compromise]» benefiting everyone, and it can be [achieved] by [voting] independent. ❋ Chernorizets Hrabr (2004)

Guy 1: Are you a republican or a [democrat]?
Guy 2: Neither, I’m an independent.
Guy 1: So you’re just too [indecisive] to take a side.
Guy 2: No, I just have my own opinions on politics. I don’t vote for a person just because of their [political party]; I actually learn about the candidates and vote for who I think would best benefit the country as a whole.
Guy 1: Oh. ❋ Dr. Seuss, PhD (2011)

«You’re for the [decentralization] of the [federal government] too? Vote independent!»
or
«Homemade [waffles] are delicious!» ❋ Scuba Steve123 (2006)

English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

• independance (obsolete)

Etymology[edit]

From French indépendance. Analyzable as in- +‎ de- +‎ pend +‎ -ence

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /ɪndɪˈpɛndəns/
• Hyphenation: in‧de‧pend‧ence

Noun[edit]

independence (countable and uncountable, plural independences)

1. The quality or state of being independent; lack of dependence; the state of not being reliant on, or controlled by, others.

   • 1836 March – 1837 October, Charles Dickens, “Relates How Mr. Pickwick, with the Assistance of Samuel Weller, Essayed to Soften the Heart of Mr. Benjamin Allen, and to Mollify the Wrath of Mr. Robert Sawyer”, in The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1837, →OCLC, page 508:

     Bob the aforesaid, and his present chances of deriving a competent independence from the honourable profession to which he had devoted himself.

   • 2022 November 30, Paul Bigland, “Destination Oban: a Sunday in Scotland”, in RAIL, number 971, page 75:

     And this year, some of the granite facades have a new addition — the blue and yellow of the flag of Ukraine. It’s hardly surprising to see the Scots, a nation more attuned to independence than some, showing solidarity with a country brutally invaded by Russia.

2. The state of having sufficient means for a comfortable livelihood.

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Britannica Dictionary definition of INDEPENDENCE

независимость, самостоятельность, независимое состояние

существительное ↓

Словосочетания

a major step towards independence — серьёзный шаг к независимости  
the proclamation of Lithuania’s independence — провозглашение независимости Литвы  
to concede independence — предоставлять независимость  
political independence — политическая независимость  
to lose one’s independence — потерять независимость  
condition of independence — условие независимости  
independence number — число независимости  
line-independence number — реберное число независимости (графа)  
point independence number — число вершинной независимости (графа)  
test of independence — критерий независимости  
cherish ideals of freedom and independence — дорожить идеалами свободы и независимости  
declare independence — провозглашать независимость  

Примеры с переводом

Примеры, ожидающие перевода

Возможные однокоренные слова

independency  — независимость, самостоятельность, независимое государство, индепендентство