From ruling nearly a sixth of the world to being the powerhouse of Europe. From thriving
kingdoms with their own monarchs to sprawling empires in Central Europe. Empires that
dominated continents to tiny states that disappeared overnight—history is full of wild stories
about countries that just vanished. As requested by many of you guys in the community post,
we’ve made this video on demand. In it, we explore the countries that no longer exist.
Soviet Union
First up the The Soviet Union, the big red giant that ruled nearly one-sixth of the planet—the Soviet Union. Formed on 30 December 1922, it was a communist superpower made up of 15 republics, including Russia, Ukraine, and the Baltic states.
But by the late ‘80s, things got messy. Economic collapse, political unrest, and the people’s love for democracy led to its dramatic breakup in 1991. The Berlin Wall came down, and suddenly, there was no more Soviet Union. It left behind countries that are still making headlines today,
like Russia, Ukraine, and Estonia.
And the Fun Fact is that the Soviet Union technically still exists… on paper! Russia inherited its
seat at the UN Security Council.
Yugoslavia
Next up, we’ve got a country with one of the most dramatic breakups in history—Yugoslavia.
This South Slavic kingdom was created after World War I and became a socialist federation
after World War 2.
For a while, things worked under its leader Tito, but after his death, everything fell apart. By the
‘90s, ethnic tensions exploded, and the region went through a brutal series of wars. Now, the
territory of Yugoslavia is split into seven independent countries, including Serbia, Croatia, and
Slovenia.
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia was another World War 1 creation that lasted through most of the 20th century.
But here’s the twist: unlike Yugoslavia, its breakup was super chill—no wars, no drama, just a
peaceful divorce in 1993.
Today, we’ve got the Czech Republic and Slovakia, two independent nations. And fun fact:
they’re still besties! The split is actually called the Velvet Divorce because it was so smooth.
Why can’t all breakups be this easy?
Prussia
Next Prussia. This one’s for the history buffs. It was once a powerhouse in Europe, famous for
its military might and strict discipline. Prussia even played a key role in creating modern
Germany.
But after two World Wars, the Allies decided they’d had enough of Prussia’s shenanigans. The
state was officially abolished in 1947, and its territories were split between Germany, Poland,
and Russia. RIP, Prussia—you were intimidating while you lasted.
The Kingdom of Hawaii
Next we have The Kingdom of Hawaii. Once a thriving kingdom with its own monarchs, culture,
and language, Hawaii was an independent nation long before it became a U.S. state. But by the
late 1800s, American business interests and political pressure led to the overthrow of Queen
Liliʻuokalani. In 1898, the United States annexed Hawaii, and its days as an independent
kingdom came to an end. Today, the spirit of the Hawaiian Kingdom lives on in its people and
traditions.
Gran Colombia
Imagine a country that spanned most of northern South America, from the Andes to the
Caribbean Sea—Gran Colombia was the giant that almost was! It all started with one man:
Simón Bolívar, the legendary liberator who freed South America from Spanish rule. In 1819, he
founded Gran Colombia, a republic that included parts of modern-day Colombia, Venezuela,
Ecuador, and Panama. Gran Colombia was born from fierce battles, with Bolívar leading the
charge against the Spanish Empire. It was a symbol of freedom, unity, and hope for millions of
people. But here’s the twist… it didn’t last.
By 1831, just 12 years later, Gran Colombia had broken apart. Political struggles, regional
rivalries, and personal conflicts between leaders tore it apart. Bolívar, the man who dreamed of
a united South America, saw his vision collapse before his eyes. He died heartbroken and
disillusioned in 1830. Today, the countries that once formed Gran Colombia are independent
nations, each with their own path. But the dream of unity? It still resonates, even today.
So, what would’ve happened if Gran Colombia had stayed united? What could South America
look like today? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
East Germany
Now let’s talk about Germany. Remember when Germany was split in two? East Germany,
officially the German Democratic Republic, was the communist half, controlled by the Soviet
Union.
As the Cold War came to an end, East Germans began to seek freedom, and they started
fleeing to the West. By 1990, the Berlin Wall came down, and East and West Germany
reunified.
If you ever visit Berlin, you can still see pieces of the wall standing as a powerful reminder of
this era.
The Republic of Texas
Did you know Texas was its own country for ten glorious years? So, here’s the story, Texas
declared independence from Mexico in 1836. It became the Republic of Texas. For almost ten
years, Texas operated as its own nation. However, it faced economic problems and threats from
Mexico. Because of these struggles, Texas wanted to join the United States.
At first, the U.S. hesitated to annex Texas. Political disagreements and debates over slavery
made the decision complicated. In 1845, President James K. Polk supported annexation.
Congress passed a resolution, and Texas accepted the offer. On December 29, 1845, Texas
became the 28th state of the United States.
This annexation led to major conflict. Mexico still considered Texas its territory. The dispute was
a key factor in starting the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1848. Still, Texans will never let
you forget that for a decade, they were an independent nation.
The Confederate States of America
Ever wonder what the Confederate States of America was all about? Back in 1861, 11 southern
states seceded from the United States, forming their own government—the Confederate States
of America, or CSA. But why exactly? Well, they wanted to protect slavery, states’ rights, and a
way of life they feared was threatened by the North.
Jefferson Davis, a former U.S. senator and Secretary of War, became the first and only
president of the CSA. His job was to hold together a country that was falling apart. The Civil War
was the stage for the CSA, and it wasn’t just a political battle—it was a war of survival! The
Confederacy fought hard, but they were outmatched in manpower and resources by the Union.
By 1865, after major battles like Gettysburg, the Confederacy was crushed, and the CSA
collapsed. The South was forced to rejoin the Union, but its impact? It’s still a huge part of
American history today.
The United Arab Republic
And finally, the United Arab Republic. Did you know there was a time when Egypt and Syria
tried to join forces to create the United Arab Republic? In 1958, Egypt and Syria decided they’d
be stronger together, so they formed the United Arab Republic, or UAR. Imagine, two countries,
one big dream! Egypt’s president, Gamal Abdel Nasser, became the leader of the UAR, hoping
to unite the Arab world. But… it wasn’t as smooth as they hoped.
Problems started popping up fast! Syria didn’t love the idea of being controlled by Egypt, and
the two nations had different political styles. Eventually, Syria left in 1961. Although the United
Arab Republic only lasted 3 years, it marked a moment in history where Arab unity seemed
possible. Today, Egypt and Syria are separate countries, but that brief moment of unity remains
a fascinating chapter of Middle Eastern history!
And there you have it—10 countries that vanished from the map but left behind stories that
shaped the world we live in today! From the rise and fall of empires to peaceful splits, history
has a funny way of reminding us that nothing lasts forever—not even countries.