History knows many countries that united, shared and changed names, some of them existed for a relatively short time. Most states have already changed their name or shape due to the recent wars that took place in the 90s. During the 20th century, many nations were able to reunite thanks to liberation wars and movements.
For example, North and South Vietnam, which in 1976 was able to again become one country. However, there are also countries that have ceased to exist altogether.
1. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)
The USSR is one of the most powerful states that ever existed. It was formed on December 22, 1922 and is located in the northern part of Eurasia. In the last years of its existence, the USSR consisted of 15 European and Asian states, headed by Moscow, the country's capital. The Soviets ranked first in the world in terms of area and were the center of the spread of communism.
The superpower confronted the United States during the Cold War, because of which the rest of the countries lived "on a powder keg", because the conflict could develop into a real nuclear confrontation. However, countries such as Cuba, China and Vietnam were on friendly terms with the Soviets and received help from them. The USSR collapsed in December 1991, and most of the countries that were part of it gained independence.
2. Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia was located in the southern part of Europe and existed for more than half of the 20th century. It included the current ones: Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia, which received autonomy as a result of the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Yugoslavia was formed on July 13, 1918 after the end of the First World War and was so named due to its geographical location and national origin.
Yugoslavia was officially recognized at the conference of ambassadors in Paris. However, on October 3, 1929, the country changed its name and became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Axis forces soon invaded the kingdom and declared it their territory, although Yugoslavia offered partial resistance in 1941 and 1943. The Kingdom of Yugoslavia changed its name again in 1946 and became the Federal People's Republic when the communists came to power. The territories of Zadar, Istria and Rijeka, which previously belonged to Italy, were annexed to it.
In 1963, the country changed its name for the last time and became the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY). Due to the outbreak of political and economic crises, as well as the flourishing of nationalism, the country was divided into five parts, and a conflict broke out between them, which was later called the Yugoslav War. Yugoslavia finally disintegrated as a result of NATO aggression against such independent states as Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and the disputed territory of Kosovo.
3. Rhodesia
Throughout its existence, Rhodesia was an unrecognized state on the territory of modern Zimbabwe, in southern Africa, and was founded in 1965. The capital of the state was the city of Salisbury, which is now called Harare. The country ceased to exist in 1979, as Queen Elizabeth II intended when Zimbabwe became an independent state.
4. German Democratic Republic
The German Democratic Republic (GDR), also known as East Germany and occupied by the USSR after the end of World War II, was founded in 1949 during the Cold War, but the capital city of Berlin was divided into two halves and West Berlin was not under the jurisdiction of the Soviets. ... In 1948, the Soviet authorities took control of the German communist leaders on October 7, the year when the GDR was recognized as an independent state. East Berlin became the capital of the GDR from the moment West Berlin became part of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Until 1989, East Germany was ruled by the Socialist Party. The collapse of the country was attributed to such factors as the emigration of highly educated youth, open alternative elections, the establishment of numerous political and social security structures, etc. However, after several years of confrontation between the GDR and the FRG and the collapse of the communist system, the two republics finally united after the destruction of the Berlin Wall and therefore the GDR ceased to exist in 1990.
5. Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia is a country located in Central Europe and was founded on October 28, 1918. The state was represented by two dominant republics of the Slavic group - the Czech Republic and Slovakia. However, the country was forced to become a division from 1939 to 1945 after the invasion of Nazi troops into the territory of Czechoslovakia.
During World War II and the Cold War, the country passed through many political and economic borders, and therefore suffered a lot. After the Velvet Revolution, Czechoslovakia decided to peacefully split into two sovereign states, the very dominant republics - the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993.
6. North Vietnam / South Vietnam
In 1954, Vietnam was divided into two states under pressure from such superpowers as the USSR and the United States, the border between which was determined by the Benh Hai River. North Vietnam was ruled by the Communists, who were under the auspices of the Soviets and China, while South Vietnam was occupied by Democrats who were ruled by the United States. Both states ceased to exist at the end of the Vietnam War and their unification in 1975.
7. Federation of South Arabia
The Federation of South Arabia was founded on April 4, 1962 by 15 countries that emerged from the British protectorate. Two years later, the Aden colonies of Great Britain and the upper Alaquian sultanate joined the union. On November 30, 1967, the union was canceled because all its members benefited from it.
8. People's Republic of Tuvan
The People's Republic of Tuvan, partially recognized as an independent state, was located on the territory of the former under the protectorate of the Russian Empire and was founded in 1921. And before getting the favor of Russia, the country belonged to the Chinese Qing dynasty. On August 14, 1921, with the help of the RSFSR, the Bolsheviks founded the Tuvan People's Republic, which was known as Tannu Tuva until 1926, and the country's capital was renamed from Khem-Beldir to Kyzyl.
The name of the state is a reference to the name of the mountains in those places. Due to their important role in the war, the country's parliament sent a request on October 11, 1944, but the Tuvan People's Republic did not gain independence, but became part of the USSR. The country was officially annexed and therefore ceased to exist.
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