Throughout human history, borders have shifted like sand, and some nations barely got a chance to blink before vanishing. Here are ten of the most fascinating shortest lived countries, each with its own dramatic rise and fall.
Why the Shortest Lived Nations Still Capture Our Imagination
Even a fleeting existence can leave a lasting imprint. These short‑lived states often sprang from bold aspirations, revolutionary fervor, or geopolitical upheaval, offering a window into the ambitions and anxieties of their eras.
10 Tanganyika
December 9, 1962 – April 26, 1964: Settlement in the region dates back to the 10th century, but the Germans claimed it as a protectorate in 1891, carving it out of German East Africa—a territory almost three times the size of Germany itself. After World War I, Britain took over, renaming it Tanganyika Territory in 1920. In 1962 Britain granted independence, only for Tanganyika to merge with Zanzibar a year later, forming modern Tanzania.
9 The Provisional Government Of Hawaii
January 17, 1893 – July 4, 1894: After a century under a monarchy, a coalition of businessmen and politicians known as the Committee of Safety overthrew Queen Liliʻuokalani in 1893. They argued that annexation by the United States made economic sense, and the U.S. Navy’s USS Boston lent its Marines to the cause. The short‑lived Republic of Hawaii emerged in 1894 under President Sanford B. Dole, a distant relative of the founder of Dole Food Company.
8 The United States Of Belgium
January 11, 1790 – December 2, 1790: Reforms imposed by Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II sparked a revolt in the Austrian Netherlands. Two factions—the conservative Statists and the progressive Vonckists—joined forces, declared independence, and formed the United States of Belgium. Their constitution borrowed heavily from the American Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation. Internal infighting and a swift reconquest by Emperor Leopold II ended the experiment after just a few months.
7 The Kingdom Of Lithuania
February 16, 1918 – November 2, 1918: After the Treaty of Brest‑Litovsk handed the area to Germany, Lithuanian leaders declared independence and elected German Duke Wilhelm von Urach as king (Mindaugas II). He learned Lithuanian over the summer, but never set foot in the country. As World War I wound down, the German Empire softened its stance, and the Lithuanian council withdrew its invitation to the duke, dissolving the short‑lived monarchy.
6 The Republic Of Formosa
May 23, 1895 – October 21, 1895: The First Sino‑Japanese War ceded Taiwan to Japan, prompting locals to proclaim the Republic of Formosa. Led by former Chinese hero Liu Yongfu, they mustered a 20,000‑strong force and appealed for international support—France sent a battleship, but broader recognition never arrived. By June the Japanese had subdued most resistance; the final stronghold fell in October, ending the brief republic.
5 The Republic Of Ezo
January 27, 1869 – June 27, 1869: After the Boshin War, a faction of Tokugawa samurai fled to the island of Ezo (now Hokkaido) and declared an independent republic devoted to samurai ideals. They fortified the star‑shaped Goryokaku castle, received limited diplomatic recognition from Britain and France, but were outmatched by the Meiji government’s modern forces. A failed attempt to board the ironclad Kotetsu sealed their defeat.
4 Azawad
April 6, 2012 – July 12, 2012: In northern Mali, Tuareg rebels declared the independent state of Azawad, seeking an Islamic nation governed by sharia. Their well‑armed forces quickly overran government troops, but a French‑backed counteroffensive forced them out of their last stronghold, Ansogo, within months. International recognition never materialized, and the rebels remain in a tenuous dialogue with the Malian government.
3 The Republic Of Mountainous Armenia
April 26, 1921 – July 13, 1921: After a defeat by Turkish forces, Armenia was forced into Soviet protection. Discontent with Soviet cessions to Azerbaijan sparked a revolt, and the rebels proclaimed the Republic of Mountainous Armenia, controlling Yerevan and surrounding areas. The Soviet army soon crushed the uprising, but the rebels secured a concession that their territory would remain under Armenian administration within the USSR.
2 The Democratic Republic Of Yemen
May 21, 1994 – July 7, 1994: A civil war erupted between Yemen’s northern and southern regions. Southern leaders, led by former vice‑president Ali Salim al‑Beidh, declared the Democratic Republic of Yemen after a tank battle in April. The United Nations called for a cease‑fire, but fighting continued. Northern forces captured Aden on July 7, ending the secessionist attempt.
1 Carpatho‑Ukraine
March 15, 1939 – March 16, 1939: The southwestern tip of Ukraine declared independence as Carpatho‑Ukraine, mirroring Slovakia’s declaration a day earlier. The Voloshyn government managed to design a flag, seal, and anthem in a single day. However, Hungary, with tacit Nazi approval, invaded the next day. The fledgling government fled, and the short‑lived state was never restored.