List of Shortest-lived Sovereign States

A sovereign state is a political entity that has a defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and the ability to enter into relations with other states1 Some sovereign states have existed for a very short time, either because they were annexed, dissolved, or merged with other states.

The lifespan of sovereign states can vary for various reasons, including political instability, external pressures, internal conflicts, or diplomatic changes.

Here are some examples of the shortest-lived sovereign states in history:

1. Republic of Benin (September 19, 1967 – September 20, 1967): A secessionist state in Nigeria that lasted for only one day, from September 19 to September 20, 1967. It was created by the Biafran rebels during the Nigerian Civil War, but was quickly overrun by the Nigerian federal forces.
2. Carpatho-Ukraine (1939): A self-proclaimed state in the eastern part of Czechoslovakia that declared its independence on March 15, 1939, after the German occupation of Bohemia and Moravia. It was invaded and annexed by Hungary the next day, on March 16, 1939.
3. Republic of Crimea (2014): A disputed territory in Ukraine that held a referendum on March 16, 2014, and declared its independence as a sovereign state. It was recognized by only a few countries, mainly Russia, which annexed it the next day, on March 18, 2014.
4. Republic of Puerto Rico (1868): A short-lived republic that was proclaimed on September 23, 1868, by a group of rebels who wanted to end the Spanish colonial rule. It was suppressed by the Spanish authorities the next day, on September 24, 1868.
5. Kingdom of Sedang (1888): A short-lived French-backed state in Southeast Asia that existed for only a few months in 1888.
6. South Kasai (1960-1961): Declared independence from the Republic of the Congo in 1960 but was reintegrated into the Congo in 1961.
7. The short-lived Baltic states (1918-1920): Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania declared independence during the aftermath of World War I, but their independence was initially recognized only for a short period. They were later reoccupied by the Soviet Union and did not regain full independence until the end of World War II.
8. The Arab Islamic Republic (1979): A state declared by rebels in the Iranian city of Tabas during the Iranian Revolution but quickly suppressed by the government.
9. The Confederate States of America (1861-1865): Formed during the American Civil War, the Confederacy existed for four years before being defeated by the Union.
10. The State of Somaliland (1960): Existed for just a few days before merging with the Trust Territory of Somalia to form the Somali Republic.
11. The Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia (1860-1862): A short-lived state in South America that existed for a brief period before being absorbed by Chile.
12. Republic of Salé (1627-1668): This short-lived republic was established in the city of Salé, Morocco, during the 17th century.
13. Republic of the Rif (1921-1926): The Republic of the Rif was a short-lived state in northern Morocco, led by the Berber leader Abd el-Krim.
14. Republic of Zanzibar (1964): Zanzibar briefly declared independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 but was quickly absorbed into Tanzania.
15. Republic of Stellaland (1882-1885): The Republic of Stellaland was a short-lived Boer republic in southern Africa, which existed for a few years before being incorporated into the British Cape Colony.
16. Republic of Ezo (1869): The Republic of Ezo was a short-lived state in northern Japan, established by rebel forces during the Boshin War. It lasted for only a few months before being defeated by the Imperial Japanese Army.
17. Republic of Mahabad (1946): The Republic of Mahabad was a short-lived Kurdish state in Iran, which existed for less than a year before being suppressed by Iranian forces.
18. Republic of Biafra (1967-1970): The Republic of Biafra was a short-lived secessionist state in southeastern Nigeria, which existed during the Nigerian Civil War. It was eventually reabsorbed into Nigeria.

There are many other examples of sovereign states that lasted for less than a year, such as the Republic of Formosa, the Republic of Ezo, the Republic of Sonora, the Republic of South Maluku, and the Republic of Central Lithuania. You can find more information about them on the web.

It’s important to note that the list may not be exhaustive, and the status of certain regions as sovereign states can be a matter of dispute or lack international recognition. The duration of a state’s existence can also be measured in different ways, such as from the declaration of independence to the establishment of effective governance or recognition by other states.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there have been many other short-lived sovereign states throughout history.