Protectorate

A protectorate, in international law, is an autonomous territory that is protected diplomatically or militarily, or both, against third parties by a stronger state or entity. In exchange for this, the protectorate usually pays something, and accepts specified obligations, which may vary greatly, depending on the real nature of their relationship. However, it often retains a sufficient measure of sovereignty and remains a state under international law.

Examples are:

• Danzig (at one time in personal union with the King of Poland)
• Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (under Germany 1939-45)
• Egypt (under the British Empire)
• Anglo-Egyptian Sudan (ditto)
• Kuwait (ditto)
• Iraq (ditto)
• Brunei (ditto)
• The Malay States (ditto)
• Tonga (ditto)
• Tunisia (under the French Empire)
• Morocco (ditto)
• Vietnam (ditto)
• Cambodia (ditto)
• Manchuria (under the Japanese Empire)
• Numerous Indian States (in the British Indian Empire).