The Great Partition took place immediately following Indian independence in 1947. The Indian subcontinent that was ruled by the British included a large population of Hindus and a large population of Muslims; populations that, historically, had not always gotten along. During the process of independence it was decided that a majority Hindu nation (India) and a majority Muslim nation (Pakistan) would be formed from the British-ruled Indian subcontinent. 

The United States provided financial and military support to Panamanian rebels seeking independence from Colombia. Panamanian separation from Colombia was achieved in 1903. The primary purpose for American support for the rebellion was so that the United States could construct a canal through the country to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Of all these empires the Ottomans and Austro-Hungarians were most threatened by the emergence of nationalism in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Whilst all of these nations controlled empires which included foreign people, the empires of Austria-Hungary and the Ottomans contained empires in Europe and the Middle East where nationalism was more prominent.

Ghana (referred to as Gold Coast at the time) gained independence from Britain in 1957. Meanwhile, the other countries all gained independence after 1960: Uganda (1962), Rwanda (1962), Kenya (1963), and Zimbabwe (1980).

While it was briefly occupied by Italy in the 1930's, Ethiopia was not colonized by any European power and successfully maintained its independence in the modern era.

Equatorial Guinea was a colony of Spain. It was Spain's only colony on the African continent.

In 1963 the Organisation of African Unity was created to protect African sovereignty. It was succeeded in 2002 by the African Union.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was part of the Central Powers (which included Germany) in the First World War. They were defeated and their empire was promptly broken up. Poland and Yugoslavia both gained their independence as a result. Modern-day Serbia remained a part of the newly-independent Yugoslavia.

Talk of a canal across the Panamanian isthmus dates back to 1500s, when the Spanish wanted to find a quicker route from Spain to its holdings on the western side of South America. The trip around the southern tip of South America was extremely long and treacherous. Transit across the canal proved important not just for trade but to provide a link between the Atlantic and Pacific naval fleets.

The correct answer is that direct colonial rule sought to weaken indigenous systems. Direct rule imposed a centralized colonial administration rather than relying on relationships with local intermediaries like tribal chiefs. Direct rule was also mostly favored by the French, while the British favored indirect rule in most of its colonies.