Secessionist movements are efforts by a group within a country to separate and form an independent state. These movements often arise from cultural, ethnic, or political differences, where a group feels marginalized or oppressed by the central government. Examples include the Catalan movement in Spain and the Quebec sovereignty movement in Canada. Such movements can lead to significant political and social tensions, as the central government may resist these efforts to maintain territorial integrity. Secessionist movements can also result in referendums, protests, or even armed conflict, depending on the level of support and the government's response.