Top 9 Countries Never Colonized By European Countries

Starting from the 16th century to the 20th century, the Europeans started to spread their power by conquering and invading the world in order to gain the resources of those countries. Despite invading many countries across the globe, there are still some out there that managed to evade these movements.

Here are the top 9 countries in the world that managed to retain their sovereignty from the claws of the invading Europeans during the peak of the colonial era.

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1. Saudi Arabia

Ever since the early times, Saudi Arabia has been ruled by the locals without any interference from the outside. It was only during the 16th century that the region was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1918.

It was only when the royal family of Bani Saud starts to fight back against the Ottoman Empire that they managed to form a new government that we call Saudi Arabia today.

2. Iran

Inheriting the legacy of the Persian government a long time ago, Iran definitely became the hot spot for the Russians and Britain who showed interest in their land. Some of the lands under the Persian Empire were seized by the Russians and the British empires.

It was a debt mistake made by the Qajar rule back then when they open the path for Britain and Russia to come in but after several negotiations being made, it managed to save Iran from being their colony officially.

3. Japan

Japan is one of the few countries that managed to fight back against the western colonization of their nation. They managed to identify the threats ever since they got their hands on western technologies which were considered far more advanced back then.

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The Japanese government started the Meiji Revolution that strengthen their country from the pressure from outsiders. The positive impact on their economy and the restructural of the Japanese society has managed to make Japan even stronger even to this day to the extent that they have the dream of opening their own colony overseas.

4. South Korea

South Korea has never been invaded by the Europeans but they have been colonized by other nations two times. Based on a study conducted, Korea has been invaded since 109 BC by the Chinese empire with Chinese laws being introduced to them.

Korea was then colonized by the Japanese in 1910 until the defeat of the rising sun in 1945.

5. Thailand

Well known for being the biggest government in Asia, the wise king Chulalongkorn in his diplomacy with other countries saved their nation from conflicts with the Europeans. He introduced several European tactics in his administration as well as having a deep interest in European technologies.

King Chulalongkorn managed to retain peace and made a treaty with the European colonials to work together without affecting the sovereignty of Thailand.

6. China

This huge mainland is capable of making any colonial outsiders fear entering but the potential of the number of people in China has made it an interesting target. The British and French used the trading technique as a hidden way to settle in China.

This has resulted in several regions in China being handed over by force to the colonials. However, with that being said, the Chinese government under the rule of the Qing Dynasty has never been invaded before.

7. Afghanistan

It has become something to fight for between the Russians and British who wanted to expand their influence. The influx of British into their land has been opposed by the locals which led to two wars happening.

It was only in the second Anglo-Afghan war in 1880 that Britain managed to gain control in determining the relations of Afghanistan with other countries. But if we were to look at it officially among the local Afghans, they never admit defeat and surrender to the colonials.

8. Nepal

Britain tried to invade Nepal through the Anglo-Nepalese war that took place for two years in 1814. But the efficiency of the Nepalese army in breaking the attacks being launched by the British has definitely paid off.

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Using the demographics of their country to their advantage, the Nepalese army managed to stop any potential invaders to the extent that the British were forced to withdraw their army from Nepal.

9. Bhutan

Located in mountain regions similar to Nepal, the British have found it difficult to enter this region. However, they still managed to secure several important regions here. After negotiations were made by the Bhutan government, the British government was able to control the logging industry while the Bhutan government maintain to rule of the country.

Source:

• Thevocket

Also read: How Switzerland Became Neutral and Exceptional?