978-1-4222-3430-3

Chapter Three

The Non-Self-Governing Territories When the United Nations was founded in 1945, most of Africa, parts of Southeast Asia, and many Pacific Islands fell under the category of Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs). By 2005, over eighty of these Territories had become self-governing. In 2014, there were sixteen NSGTs. According to the UN Web site,“In 1945, 750 million people— almost a third of the world’s population—lived in Territories that were non-self-governing, dependent on colonial powers. Today, fewer than 2 million people live in such Territories.” Wo r d s t o U n d e r s ta n d controversial : having to do with sharply opposing views. factions : smaller groups within larger groups that have opposing ideas. referendum : a vote of the entire electorate on a question or questions put before it by the government or similar body.

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Chapter Three