The political map of the world throughout the history of mankind is constantly changing. Some states declare independence, others unite, others disappear as a result of wars. There is a certain part of the population on the planet who regrets the past and is now forced to live under a different flag. But we will not delve deeply into the political and historical realities of our time, but imagine 15 once influential countries that no longer exist.
1
Golden Horde (1224 - 1483)
On the map: The Golden Horde at the time of 1389
The history of the powerful Golden Horde, which held the vast territories of Eurasia in obedience, began as part of the Mongol Empire.
Genghis Khan divided his possessions between his sons, as a result of which Ulus Jochi appeared in 1224. This date was the beginning of the emergence of a great country. After the western campaign of 1236–1242, carried out by the grandson of Genghis Khan Batu, the territory of the Horde expanded significantly, and its capital was moved to the Lower Volga region. In the middle of the XIV century, political disputes began in the Horde, which significantly weakened the state and led to its collapse.
From the once powerful state stood out the Siberian and Crimean Khanate, the Nogai Horde. The Great Horde remained under the rule of Khan Akhmat. In 1480, Russia freed itself from the yoke, which significantly weakened the Great Horde, and already with the children of Khan Akhmat, the Horde ceased to exist.
2
Khazar Kaganate (650 - 969)
A strong and influential state of the early Middle Ages was formed as a result of the collapse of the Western Turkic Haganate. The Khazars managed to subjugate the numerous peoples of the Volga, Caucasus, Podontsovye, and the eastern part of Crimea.
The history of the Khazar Khaganate begins in 650, when the Khazars defeated the Volga Bulgaria. The kaganate was headed by the kagan, which translates as king of kings. With varying success, they fought with the Arabs, were able to subjugate part of the East Slavic tribes. Successfully opposed Byzantium.
At the end of the 8th century, Khazaria adopted Judaism. Jews gradually became the ruling elite, and the kagan lost its influence. In a clash with Russia, the Khazar Khaganate was weakened. The final blow was dealt to the kaganate by Prince Svyatoslav. In 964, he captured the Sarkel fortress, and a year later destroyed the capital Itil. The Khazar Khaganate as a state disappears from the political arena.
3
Byzantium (395 - 1453)
Changing the borders of the Byzantine Empire.
In 395, the Roman Empire, which also deserves to be included in this list, was divided into two western and eastern parts. The Western Roman Empire ceased to exist 80 years after the partition, but the Eastern Roman Empire lasted until 1453.
This powerful and influential state entered world history under the name Byzantium, and its capital was beautiful Constantinople. The state flourished under Emperor Justinian I. Beautiful temples and administrative buildings appeared in the capital. During this period, Byzantium actively influenced international politics, subordinating its power to neighboring nationalities and countries.
With the advent of Russia, Byzantium actively fought with the Slavic state for hegemony in the Eastern European region. In 1453, Turkish troops captured and defeated Constantinople. Byzantium ceased to exist.
4
Ottoman Empire (1299 - 1922)
The territory of Byzantium became the central core of the growing power of the Ottoman Empire. Constantinople was renamed Istanbul, Orthodox churches were closed.
An empire was formed in 1299, and after the fall of Byzantium, the state became known as the Sultanate. During successful wars, the Ottomans managed to seize vast territories in the Balkans and the North Caucasus, subjugating many peoples to their rule. The Crimean Khanate became a vassal of the Sultanate.
The Ottoman Empire waged constant wars with Russia. At the beginning of the twentieth century there has been a weakening. By the beginning of World War I, the Ottoman Empire lost all of its territory in Europe, Russia controlled the Northern Black Sea coast. After the war, the empire broke up, and the state of Turkey was formed in 1923 on part of its territory.
5
Prussia (1525 - 1947)
The territory of Prussia in 1870
A historical state formed in the territories of the Teutonic Order. The lands east of the Vistula on the southeast coast of the Baltic Sea were inhabited by the Prussians, hence the name of the state.
After the collapse of the Teutonic Order in 1525, the Duchy of Prussia was formed, the capital of which was Koenigsberg. At the beginning of the XVII century, the Hohenzollern dynasty established itself in the country, as a result of which the union of Prussia with Brandenburg took place. The state began to extend its influence to the former possessions of the Holy Roman Empire. Prussia became so influential that the residence of the Prussian kings was moved to Berlin.
It was Prussia under King William I and the Minister-President Bismarck that became the center of the unification of the German lands. In 1871, after winning the Franco-Prussian War, Bismarck proclaimed the creation of the German Empire. As part of Germany, Prussia lasted until the fall of the Third Reich, and in 1947 a law was passed on the liquidation of the Prussian state.
6
Austria-Hungary (1867 - 1918)
The history of this European state was short-lived, but Austria-Hungary had political weight and influenced political processes not only in Europe, but also in the world.
In 1868, the two countries merged and a new influential state appeared on the political map of the world with its capital in Vienna. It was a multinational state, occupying vast lands. The structure included the territory of modern Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Croatia, Serbia. Power extended to parts of Poland and Ukraine.
In 1882, Austria-Hungary signed an agreement with Germany and Italy, and entered the Triple Alliance. In alliance with these states, she entered the First World War. It was the defeat in the war that caused the collapse of the empire. In 1918, Austria-Hungary collapsed, and new independent states appeared on its expanses.
7
USSR (1922 - 1991)
Modern Russia has proclaimed itself the successor of the USSR, but the Soviet Union itself was formed in the vast expanses of the Russian Empire.
Ethnic map of the USSR for 1941
The formation of the USSR took place in 1922, and by 1945 it included 15 union republics. The capital was moved to Moscow. In less than 70 years, the world's first socialist state has come a glorious path, the Soviet people have won the war. The Soviet Union was the first to begin space exploration. From a dilapidated country during the Civil War, it was possible to quickly create a strong state. There were also tragic pages of history, violation of human rights and freedoms, mass repressions.
Historians and politicians name many reasons for the collapse of the USSR. The Soviet Union successfully resisted the West in the Cold War, but the country's economy could not withstand such stress. There were political reasons. In December 1991, the USSR officially ceased to exist.
- Remember which cigarettes smoked in the USSR
- We recall the slot machines of the times of the USSR
- We recall beautiful buses in the USSR
8
East Germany (1949 - 1990)
The German Democratic Republic was an independent country from 1949 to 1990. After World War II, East Germany came under the influence of the Soviet Union.
Berlin, like the whole country, was also divided into two parts, between which a wall was erected. The economy of the GDR was inferior to the economies of the FRG and other West European states, but among the countries of the socialist camp it was on top. Ultimately, political and economic differences, the crisis of socialism led to reunification.
In October 1990, the GDR merged with the Federal Republic of Germany, having gone through several bureaucratic stages of unification. The editors of most-beauty.ru consider this example of the unification of the two countries as a reference.
9
Czechoslovakia (1918 - 1993)
In 1918, the Czechoslovak Republic was established by the decision of the Paris Peace Conference in Eastern Europe. In 1938, as a result of the Munich agreement of the Western countries with Hitler, Czechoslovakia lost part of the territory. And over time it was divided between neighboring states.
By annexing the country, Hitler created a protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia on its territory. In 1945, Soviet troops liberated these territories from Nazism. Under the influence of the Soviet Union, the Czechoslovak Soviet Socialist Republic was created.
The economy and destroyed infrastructure were quickly restored. In 1968, the people of the country opposed the socialist government, but the uprising was crushed. In 1993, as a result of the Velvet Revolution, the Czech Republic and Slovakia peacefully dispersed, forming two independent states.
10
Yugoslavia (1918 - 2003)
A multinational state that began its history in 1918. During this time, the country experienced ups and downs, Nazi occupation, and numerous military clashes in the 1990s.
From 1918 to 1945, Yugoslavia was a monarchy, and after the Second World War it joined the camp of socialist states. The Soviet Union contributed to the creation of a federal republic, which included 6 states. The authorities tried to pursue a policy independent of the USSR, but still remained under the influence of the “elder brother”.
In the late 1980s, national conflicts sharply exacerbated in the SFRY. Compounded by an economic crisis. Decentralization processes prevailed, and in 1991 the once-powerful Yugoslavia split into several independent states.
11
Neutral Moresnet (1816 - 1920)
Few have heard of the existence of such a country, but after the Vienna Congress in 1816, a small independent state with an area of only 3.5 km² appeared on the map of Europe.
Moresent was sandwiched between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Prussia. Despite such influential neighbors, the authorities of the dwarf state conducted an independent policy. The main source of income was the zinc mine. The population in the entire history of existence did not exceed 3 thousand people.
The mine quickly exhausted its resource, and the question arose of the advisability of the status of independence. They solved it for more than 50 years, until in 1915 Germany annexed these territories. In 1918, according to the Treaty of Versailles, Morerence's neutrality was canceled and he became part of Belgium.
12
Empire of Ashanti (1670 - 1902)
The history of Ashanti as an independent country in the territory of modern Ghana began at the end of the 17th century. It was a military alliance, because the very word "ashanti" is translated as "people united for waging wars."
At the head was the supreme leader who controlled all spheres of life. In fact, it was an absolute monarchy with its own characteristics. The country quickly grew rich due to trade and control over important trade routes both on land and at sea.
Over time, it was possible to significantly expand the territory. The constant wars with Britain significantly weakened Ashanti. It is noteworthy that in the composition of modern Ghana, there is still a national association Ashanti. There is also a king who does not participate in political life. And it controls only religious issues.
13
Kingdom of Hawaii (1795 - 1893)
In 1959, Hawaii became the state of the USA, but in modern conditions, the inhabitants of the islands continue to celebrate King's Day. This holiday is rooted in 1810, when the ruler of Kameamea I united four disparate associations into one kingdom.
After the creation of an independent state with its ruler, ministers to the United States and European countries were sent diplomats and sales representatives. Hawaii has lucrative trade contracts. The kingdom has become one of the most influential countries in the Pacific.
Everything changed the Spanish-American War of 1898. For the warring parties, Hawaii has become a strategically important target. American troops annexed the islands, and then Hawaii became the state of the United States.
14
Vermont (1777 - 1791)
At present, Vermont is one of the fifty states of the United States. But from 1777 to 1791, it was an independent republic. It even adopted a constitution abolishing slavery.
Vermont separated from New York as a result of territorial conflict between the British provinces. Separated, he remained an independent country. But the fact is that he was not accepted into the Union of States. This situation continued until a territorial dispute with New York was resolved.
The Vermont authorities even developed a project to join Canada, but under the protectorate of Britain. In 1790, the territorial conflict was resolved, and in 1791 Vermont became the fourteenth state.
15
Kingdom of Sikkim
Now this state is part of India, and Sikkim for many centuries was a powerful, influential monarchy of Southeast Asia.
Lost high in the mountains, Sikkim became part of India in 1975. The country has passed a glorious historical path. Buddhist kings ruled her, combining the functions of priests. Such a peculiar theocracy. Frequent conflicts occurred with neighboring nations, and power was maintained through close ties with Britain. Sikkim is a multinational association in which the population speaks 11 languages.
There were many conflicts in its history, but the merger with India went peacefully. More than 97% of citizens voted in a referendum on joining India as a separate state.
Summarize
The process of establishing a political map of the world continues today. States put forward territorial claims to their neighbors, someone unites for economic reasons, and there are territories that, on the contrary, leave the state. Perhaps in the future, borders between states will disappear, wars and military conflicts will stop. But, as Andrei Makarevich sings, “neither beautiful nor you will have to live in this beautiful time.” The words, of course, belong to Nekrasov.
The editors of most-beauty.ru asks you to write in the comments about a few once influential countries that no longer exist, which you would add to our list.