Final answer:
The largest number of former colonies transitioned to independent states following the Second World War, especially during the 1960s. The process of decolonization was influenced by a variety of factors, including economic considerations and local resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The largest number of former colonies became independent states in the period following the Second World War, particularly in the 1960s. This era marked a significant shift in global politics and the dismantling of European colonial empires. Membership in the United Nations serves as a key indicator of statehood, with the number of independent states skyrocketing from just fifty-seven before 1950 to well over 190 in later years.
Decolonization was driven by various factors, including the lack of European support for colonialism, the drain on resources that colonies represented for European powers, and strong local resistance. The process began with Haiti's independence from French rule in the early 19th century and gained momentum after World War II. The realignment of political boundaries and the formation of new nations rewrote the maps of the world during this time.
Several countries made the transition from being colonies to becoming self-governing or even independent nations. For instance, the United States emerged from the thirteen British colonies following the American Revolution. Similarly, the countries of Central and South America transitioned from Spanish colonial rule to independence between 1808 and 1825. Moreover, many Asian and African nations achieved independence from European powers in the years following the Second World War.