Annexation

Annexation (Latin ad, to, and nexus, joining) is the legal merging of some territory into another body. A city might annex unincorporated areas or a country might annex other disputed territories. Sometimes also used to refer to mergers of countries. The assumption of a protectorate over another state, or of a sphere of influence, is not strictly annexation, the latter implying the complete displacement in the annexed territory of the government or state by which it was previously ruled. Annexation may be the consequence of a voluntary cession from one state to another, or of conversion from a protectorate or sphere of influence, or of mere occupation in uncivilized regions, or of conquest. However: In international relations the term annexation is usually applied when the emphasis is placed on the fact that territorial possession is achieved by force and unilaterally rather than through treaties or negotiations. The cession of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany by France, although brought about by the war of 1870, was for the purposes of international law a voluntary cession. Under the treaty of December 17, 1885, between the French republic and the queen of Madagascar, a French protectorate was established over this island. In 1896 this protectorate was converted by France into an annexation, and Madagascar then became "French territory." The formal annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina by Austria (October 5, 1908) was an unauthorized conversion of an "occupation" authorized by the Treaty of Berlin (1878), which had, however, for years operated as a de facto annexation. A case of conquest was that effected by the South African War of 1899-1902, in which the Transvaal republic and the Orange Free State were extinguished, first de facto by occupation of the whole of their territory, and then de jure by terms of surrender entered into by the Boer generals acting as a government.

Examples of annexation

Pacific Northwest and California

In 1844 onwards, United States of America attempted to merge disputed parts of the Pacific Northwest of North America into their country. James Knox Polk, the 11th President of the United States, used as a successful campaign slogan "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!", commenting on the latitude (54°40') of the western portion of the border between Canada and the United States, a border which was later officially set at the 49th parallel north.

Related Topics:
1844 - United States of America - Pacific Northwest - North America - James Knox Polk - President of the United States - Campaign - Slogan - Fifty-Four Forty or Fight - Latitude - Border - Canada - 49th parallel north

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Hawai'i

In 1898, Hawaii (having already gone through stages as both a Hawai'ian Kingdom and controversial puppet Republic) was annexed into the United States following a coup d'état staged by American businessmen with the goal of annexation in mind.

Related Topics:
Hawaii - Hawai'ian Kingdom - Republic - Coup d'état

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Texas

:Main article: Texas Annexation

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In 1836, the people of Texas voted to request that the United States annex Texas. Concerned with the constitutionality of annexation and with offense of neighboring Mexico, however, the Van Buren Administration rejected the request, which was eventually withdrawn. In 1843, the United States became concerned with British designs on Texas. A new president, John Tyler, became a proponent of annexation. Following acceptance of the terms of annexation by the people of Texas, the young nation became a part of the United States in 1846.

Related Topics:
1836 - Texas - The constitutionality - Mexico - Van Buren Administration - 1843 - British - John Tyler - 1846

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City of Atlanta

In 1909 the U.S. city of Atlanta, then located only in Fulton County, annexed into part of neighboring DeKalb County (from which Fulton County had originally been divided). The situation continues to provide some problems, such as when police arrest suspects on charges set forth in Georgia state law, and city police must determine which county's jail they must be taken to.

Related Topics:
1909 - U.S. - Atlanta - Fulton County - DeKalb County - Georgia - State

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Jerusalem

In the aftermath of the 1967 Six Day War, in which Israel had occupied East Jerusalem as well as the West Bank, Gaza, and the Golan, Israel declared East and West Jerusalem one united city, incorporating the eastern part into one municipality, but soon after declaring to the UN that its measures were not annexation. In 1980 Israel passed the Jerusalem law, which redeclared the unity of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, but did not declare its borders. Some consider the latter act annexation, but without explict declaration of sovereignty this is in doubt. Israel's measures are not internationally recognized.

Related Topics:
1967 - Six Day War - Israel - West Bank - Gaza

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Golan

In 1981, Israel extended its "laws, jurisdiction and administration" to the Golan Heights, which it captured from Syria in the 1967 Six Day War. This not entirely clear "annexation" declaration was declared "null and void and without international legal effect" by the United Nations.

Related Topics:
Golan Heights - Syria - 1967 - Six Day War - United Nations

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Kuwait

After being allied with Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War (largely due to desiring Iraqi protection from Islamic Iran), Kuwait was invaded and annexed by Iraq (under Saddam Hussein) in August 1990. Hussein's primary justifications included a charge that Kuwaiti territory was in fact an Iraqi province, and that annexation was retaliation for "economic warfare" Kuwait had waged through slant drilling into Iraq's oil supplies. The monarchy was deposed after annexation, and an Iraqi governor installed.

Related Topics:
Iraq - Iran-Iraq War - Iran - Saddam Hussein - 1990 - Slant drilling

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Though initially ambiguous toward a potential annexation of Kuwait by Iraq, US President George H. W. Bush ultimately condemned Hussein's actions, and moved to drive out Iraqi forces. Authorized by the UN Security Council, an American-led coalition of 34 nations fought the Persian Gulf War to reinstate the Kuwaiti Emir. Hussein's invasion (and annexation) was deemed illegal, and Kuwait remains an independent nation today.

Related Topics:
George H. W. Bush - UN Security Council - American - Persian Gulf War - Emir

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Wales

Wales was annexed to the English crown by the 1536/1543 Acts of Union, but references in legislation for 'England' were still taken as excluding Wales. The Wales and Berwick Act 1746 meant that in all future laws, 'England' would by default include Wales (and Berwick-upon-Tweed). The de-annexation of Wales was gradual — Cardiff was proclaimed as the Welsh capital in 1955, and in 1967 the Wales and Berwick Act insofar as it applied to Wales was repealed. For many administrative purposes they are still treated as the single entity England and Wales.

Related Topics:
Wales - English crown - 1536 - 1543 - Acts of Union - Wales and Berwick Act 1746 - Berwick-upon-Tweed - Cardiff - 1955 - 1967 - England and Wales

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Korea

On August 22, 1910, Korea was officially annexed by Japan with the Korea-Japan Annexation Treaty signed by Lee Wan-Yong: Prime Minister of Korea, and Masatake Terauchi: Japanese Resident-General in Korea who became the Governor-General of Korea. Korea continued to be ruled by Japan until Japan's surrender to the Allied Forces on 15 August 1945. See Period of Japanese Rule (Korea) for further information.

Related Topics:
August 22 - 1910 - Korea - Japan - Korea-Japan Annexation Treaty - Governor-General of Korea - 15 August - 1945 - Period of Japanese Rule (Korea)

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Ethiopia

On May 9, 1936, Ethiopia was annexed by Italy.

Related Topics:
May 9 - 1936 - Ethiopia - Italy

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