Why did so many nations gain independence after World War 1?

Answer 1

Because lots of countries were under the superpowers' rule. For example, Ukraine, the Baltic countries, Finland and etc were part of the Russian Empire, Croatia, Romania and Bosnia were under Austria Hungary and etc. The war destroyed Europe, so they had to rebuild themselves afterwards, and could not afford to maintain troops(they didn't even have enough troops, as so many died... not sure about this though) to control the other nations, others were Empires that crumbled and divided into smallers states(i.e. Ottoman empire). So they took the chance and fought for freedom, as their former rulers were in no position enter another war. Others were created by the Allied superpowers, like Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Poland just to have influence without ocuppying them and also to reduce Germany, Austria and Turkey's power.

Answer 2

The continent of Asia did not gain independence after World War 2, rather the nations in Asia gained their freedom from the occupation of Japan when they lost the war. Some of the nations had to resolve their own governmental problems, such as China, Indochina (Vietnam) and the Dutch East Indies. The Dutch East Indies did get their independence from The Netherlands and a few other places gained independence from Great Britain, like Australia.

**small correction: Australia was an independent country at the close of WW2. It could be treated as a special case because former colonies like Australia, New Zealand and Canada (although not in Asia it fits this pattern) of independence and then gradually gaining full separation of powers through laws and negotiations rather than through the barrel of a gun. As a country the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act was passed in 1900, the true starting date of Australian independence.

By the time WW2 ended, there was no discussion of Australia being a colony. It hadn't been one for decades.

Answer 3

The Asia demonstrated, the decline of European global influence.