Declaration of independence

A declaration of independence is a proclamation of the independence of a newly formed or reformed country from part of the territory of another, or a document containing such a declaration.

The first known formal declaration of independence was the Declaration of Arbroath in which Scottish leaders declared Scotland's independence from England on behalf of the Scottish people in 1320.

One of the most famous declarations of independence is that of the 13 American colonies that went on to make up the United States of America, dated July 4, 1776, which declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. This declaration of independence has been the model for later declarations of independence. See United States Declaration of Independence.

Other nations, or aspiring nations, which have made formal declarations of independence, include the Netherlands (Dutch Declaration of Independence from Spain, 1581) as well as Texas (Texas Declaration of Independence for the Republic of Texas from Mexico, 1836).

In international law the unilateral declaration of independence is frowned upon, since preservation of territory is one of the few things that the countries of the world universally agree on. Declaring independence or supporting such a declaration is seen as a hostile act, that may easily lead to war. Recent self-declared states include Chechnya, Somaliland and its neighbor Puntland, the Turkish part of Cyprus, and the State of Palestine.

One notable non-declaration of independence has been Taiwan. A formal declaration of independence by the people of Taiwan has been one of conditions under which the People's Republic of China would use force against Taiwan. The political status of Taiwan remains controversial, and the position of most supporters of Taiwan independence has been since the Taiwan has always been independent and sovereign from the PRC, there is no need to formally declare Taiwan to be independent.

See also : Independence Day