Annexation

Annexation is the formal act by which a state proclaims sovereignty over a territory hitherto outside of its domain. This often involves military occupation or the threat thereof, and is generally considered a unilateral act, although it may be legitimized by treaties or international agreements. Annexation can be driven by various factors, including strategic importance, economic opportunity, resource acquisition, or perceived historical claims. The act is frequently controversial and can lead to international condemnation or even conflict, particularly if the Annexation violates the principles of self-determination or international law. The legitimacy of an Annexation is often contested, depending on the historical context, the means by which it was carried out, and the recognition (or lack thereof) by the international community.

Annexation meaning with examples

• Following a period of political instability and internal conflict within Crimea, Russia formally declared the Annexation of the peninsula in 2014, a move widely condemned by many Western nations as a violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and international law.
• The Annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938, known as the Anschluss, represented a blatant expansionist policy driven by ideological and racial motivations, eventually leading to World War II.
• In the late 19th century, the United States engaged in a period of territorial expansion, including the Annexation of Hawaii in 1898, fueled by economic interests, strategic considerations in the Pacific, and the perception of manifest destiny.
• After a protracted war and significant territorial gains, Israel formally annexed East Jerusalem in 1980, a declaration that has not been recognized internationally and remains a source of ongoing political and diplomatic tension.