Were violent or non-violent methods more common in successful independence?

Non-violent methods were more common in successful independence movements.

Historically, non-violent methods have been more prevalent in successful independence movements. This is not to say that violent methods have not been used or have not been successful, but non-violent methods have often been more effective in achieving their goals. The reason for this is that non-violent methods often involve a larger portion of the population and are less likely to result in a backlash from the ruling power.

One of the most famous examples of a successful non-violent independence movement is India's struggle for independence from British rule. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, the movement used methods such as civil disobedience, non-cooperation, and peaceful protests to achieve its goals. These methods were effective in mobilising a large portion of the Indian population and gaining international support for their cause. The peaceful nature of the movement also made it difficult for the British to justify the use of force against the protesters, which helped to further their cause.

Another example of a successful non-violent independence movement is the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia in 1989. This movement used peaceful protests and strikes to pressure the communist government to step down, leading to the end of 41 years of communist rule and the establishment of a democratic government.

However, it is important to note that not all non-violent movements have been successful. For example, the peaceful protests in Tiananmen Square in China in 1989 were brutally suppressed by the Chinese government, and the protesters' demands for political reform were not met.

On the other hand, there have been successful violent independence movements, such as the American Revolution and the Algerian War of Independence. However, these movements often resulted in a significant loss of life and damage to infrastructure, and the resulting governments often struggled with issues such as political instability and economic hardship.

In conclusion, while both violent and non-violent methods have been used in successful independence movements, non-violent methods have often been more common and more effective. This is likely due to the fact that they involve a larger portion of the population and are less likely to result in a backlash from the ruling power.