Hong Kong became a British colony following the First Opium War in 1841. It remained under British administration for over 150 years until the sovereignty was transferred to the People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997.

The pursuit of self-determination has often involved armed struggle and violence, particularly in the context of anti-colonial movements and secessionist conflicts. While international law recognizes self-determination as a right, the historical reality shows that many groups have resorted to violent resistance against occupying or governing powers to secure their political independence and sovereignty.

The second wave of globalization, spanning from the mid-19th century to the end of World War II, was marked by the height of European imperialism. During this period, European powers significantly expanded their territorial control across Africa and Asia, integrating these regions into the global economy through colonial administration and resource exploitation. This era solidified the global reach of European political, economic, and cultural systems, which remained dominant until the post-war decolonization movements.

The Green Mountain Boys were a militia organization established in the New Hampshire Grants (modern-day Vermont). Led by Ethan Allen, they played a critical role in the early stages of the American Revolution by capturing Fort Ticonderoga in 1775, which provided the Continental Army with essential artillery to force the British evacuation of Boston.

The aftermath of World War I served as a catalyst for social and political change, including the expansion of voting rights. Many nations, recognizing the contributions of women to the war effort, passed legislation granting women the right to vote in the years immediately following the conflict, marking a major milestone in the global movement for gender equality.

Homi Bhabha argues that colonial discourse is inherently contradictory and ambivalent. It relies on stereotypes to maintain control, oscillating between viewing the colonized as a submissive subject that can be civilized and an irrational, dangerous 'other' that must be contained. This duality serves to justify colonial rule while simultaneously revealing the instability and anxiety inherent in the colonizer's identity.

Sirimavo Bandaranaike made history in 1960 by becoming the world's first female head of government. Her political career in Sri Lanka was marked by socialist policies and a focus on non-alignment in international affairs. She served three terms as Prime Minister, significantly influencing the political landscape of her country and setting a global precedent for women in executive leadership roles.

The Nazi Party, formally known as the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP), was founded by Adolf Hitler in 1920. It promoted a radical nationalist and racist ideology that asserted the superiority of the Aryan race while scapegoating Jewish people for Germany's post-WWI economic and political struggles, ultimately leading to the Holocaust.

Faustin Soulouque, known as Faustin I, declared himself Emperor of Haiti in 1849. He ruled the Second Empire of Haiti until he was deposed in 1859. His reign was characterized by an attempt to restore the grandeur of the earlier Haitian Empire established by Jean-Jacques Dessalines, though it ultimately ended in political instability and his exile.

The slogan 'Liberté, égalité, fraternité' (Liberty, equality, and fraternity) emerged during the French Revolution of 1789. It became the defining motto of the French Republic, symbolizing the core values of the movement against the absolute monarchy and the feudal system in France.