irredentism is position advocating annexation of territories administered by another state on the grounds of common ethnicity and/or prior historical possession, actual or alleged. It is a feature of identity politics and cultural and political geography. Since most borders have been moved and redrawn at one point, a great many countries could theoretically present irredentist claims to their neighbours. Annexation (Latin ad, to, and nexus, joining) is the legal incorporation of some territory into another geo-political entity (either adjacent or non-contiguous). ... A state is a set of institutions that possess the authority to make the rules that govern the people in one or more societies, having internal and external sovereignty over a definite territory. ... This article or section should be merged with ethnic group Ethnicity is the cultural characteristics that connect a particular group or groups of people to each other. ... Identity politics is the political activity of various social movements for self-determination. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Political geography is a field of human geography that is concerned with politics. ... Border stone at Passo San Giacomo between Val Formazza in Italy and Val Bedretto in Switzerland Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, states or subnational administrative divisions. ...

However, some countries are the subject of potential irredentism from birth. Post-WWI Eastern Europe, the Balkan, and the Near East had borders carved out by the Allies that left many of the new countries in that region unsatisfied due to minority populations and conflicting historical claims. Many of Africa's borders were artificially imposed by European colonial powers. The result split ethnic groups between different countries, such as the Igbo who are divided among Nigeria, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. Regions of Europe as delineated by the United Nations (UN definition of Eastern Europe marked salmon):  Northern Europe  Western Europe  Eastern Europe  Southern Europe Pre-1989 division between the West (grey) and Eastern Bloc (orange) superimposed on current national boundaries: Russia (dark orange), other countries of the former USSR (medium... ... The Near East is a term commonly used by archaeologists, geographers and historians, less commonly by journalists and commentators, to refer to the region encompassing the Levant (modern Israel, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon), Turkey, Mesopotamia (Iraq and eastern Syria). ... Map of the World showing the participants in World War I. Those fighting on the Allies side (at one point or another) are depicted in green, the Central Powers in orange, and neutral countries in gray. ... The Igbo, sometimes (especially formerly) referred to as Ibo, are one of the largest single ethnicities in Africa. ...

An area that may be subjected to a potential claim is therefore sometimes called an irredenta. Not all potential irredentas are involved in actual irredentism.

Origins

Main article: Italia irredenta

The word was coined in Italy from the phrase Italia irredenta ("unredeemed Italy"). This originally referred to Austro-Hungarian rule over mostly or partly Italian-inhabited territories such as Trentino and Trieste during the 19th and early 20th century. Italia Irredenta (English: Unredeemed Italy) was an Italian patriotic and political party, which was of importance in the last quarter of the 19th century. ... Italia Irredenta (English: Unredeemed Italy) was an Italian patriotic and political party, which was of importance in the last quarter of the 19th century. ... Austria-Hungary, also known as the Dual monarchy (or: the k. ... Trentino-Alto Adige or Trentino-South Tyrol (in German: Trentino-Südtirol, in Italian: Trentino-Alto Adige) is an autonomous region in northern Italy. ... Trieste (Italian: Trieste; Slovenian and Croatian: Trst; German: Triest; Hungarian: Trieszt; Latin: Tergeste; Serbian: Трст or Trst) is a city and port in northeastern Italy right on the border with Slovenia. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999...

A common way to express a claim to adjacent territories on the grounds of historical or ethnic association is by using the epithet "Greater" before the country name. This conveys the image of national territory at its maximum conceivable extent with the country "proper" at its core. It must be noted that the use of "Greater" does not always convey an irredentistic meaning. For instance, Greater Romania is the common translation given to the Romanian term "Romania Mare", which is the name given between the two World Wars to the Kingdom of Romania. Romania claimed irredenta over Transylvania and Bessarabia until after World War I. The term was also used by Germans referring to Greater Germany, a state consisting of Germany,Austria and Sudentland. Anthem: Trăiască Regele Capital Bucharest Language(s) Romanian Government Constitutional monarchy Head of State  - 1918 - 1927 Ferdinand I of Romania  - 1927 - 1930 - 1930 - 1940 - 1940 - 1947 Michael I of Romania Carol II of Romania Michael I of Romania Legislature Adunarea DeputaÅ£ilor and Senatul Historical era Interbellum Years  - Kingdom... From 1859 to 1877, Romania evolved from a personal union of two vassal principalities (Moldavia and Wallachia) under a single prince to a full-fledged independent kingdom with a Hohenzollern monarchy. ... Map of Romania with Transylvania in yellow Transylvania (Romanian: or ; Hungarian: ; German: ; Serbian: / Transilvanija or / Erdelj) is a historical region in central and western Romania. ... 1927 map of Bessarabia from Charles Upson Clarks book Bessarabia or Bessarabiya (Basarabia in Romanian, Besarabya in Turkish, Бесарабія in Ukrainian) is a historical term for the geographic entity in Eastern Europe bounded by the Dniester River on the East and the Prut River on the West. ... Combatants Allied Powers: Russian Empire France British Empire Italy United States Central Powers: Austria-Hungary German Empire Ottoman Empire Bulgaria Commanders Nicholas II Aleksei Brusilov Georges Clemenceau Joseph Joffre Ferdinand Foch Robert Nivelle Herbert Henry Asquith Sir Douglas Haig Sir John Jellicoe Victor Emmanuel III Luigi Cadorna Armando Diaz Woodrow...

Constitutional irredentism

Some states formalize their irredentist claims by including them in their constitutional documents.

Argentina Part III, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Argentine Nation states that "The Argentine Nation ratifies its legitimate and non-prescribing sovereignty over the Malvinas (Falkland Islands), South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and over the corresponding maritime and insular zones, as they are an integral part of the national territory. The recovery of said territories and the full exercise of sovereignty, respectful of the way of life of their inhabitants and according to the principles of international law, are a permanent and unrelinquished goal of the Argentine people." Section 35 mentions that the Argentine Nation is the modern name of the United Provinces of the River Plata, which included Uruguay as the Province of Montevideo until 1830. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, also claimed by Argentina. ... South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, also claimed by Argentina. ... Department Montevideo Department Altitude 43 m Coordinates 34º 53S 56º 10W Founded 1726 Founder Bruno Mauricio de Zabala Population 1,325,968 (2004) (1st) Demonym Montevideano Phone Code +02 Postal Code 10000 Montevideo -pron IPA: is the capital, largest city, and chief port of Uruguay. ...

People's Republic of China The preamble to the constitution of the People's Republic of China states "Taiwan is part of the sacred territory of the People's Republic of China. It is the lofty duty of the entire Chinese people, including our compatriots in Taiwan, to accomplish the great task of reunifying the motherland." Under international law, the PRC claim to sovereignty over Taiwan is also based on the successor government theory, whereby the PRC is the legally recognized successor government to the ROC.

Republic of China Article 4 of the Constitution of the Republic of China states that: "The territory of the Republic of China within its existing national boundaries shall not be altered except by a resolution of the National Assembly." However, in regard to the alleged "incorporation" of Taiwan into ROC territory, there is no relevant Resolution of the National Assembly on record. From 1948 to 1991 the Free Area of the Republic of China was under martial law made legal by the Temporary Provisions Effective During the Period of Communist Rebellion, a constitutional amendment to be enforced as long as the "communist rebellion" in mainland China lasts. The Republic of China has not formally renounced claims to the areas currently controlled by the People's Republic of China, Mongolia, Tuvan Republic and parts of Burma and other Central Asian states bordering China, though it no longer actively pursues these claims. Motto: Three Principles of the People (三民主義 San-min Chu-i) Anthem: National Anthem of the Republic of China Capital Taipei (de facto)  Nanking (de jure)1  Largest city Taipei Official languages Mandarin (GuóyÇ”) Government Semi-presidential system  - President Chen Shui-bian  - Vice President Annette Lu  - Premier Su Tseng-chang... The Free Area of the Republic of China (Traditional Chinese: 中華民國自由地區) is a legal and political description referring to the territories of the Republic of China under the control of its government. ... For other uses, see Martial law (disambiguation). ... The Temporary Provisions Effective During the Period of Communist Rebellion (Chinese: 動員戡亂時期臨時條款; Hanyu Pinyin: ) was a series of temporary constitutional provisions passed by the National Assembly of the Republic of China on May 10, 1948 and gave President Chiang Kai-Shek extended powers amid the height of the Chinese Civil War... The Tuva Republic (Russian: ; Tuvan: Тыва Республика) is a federal subject of Russia (a republic). ...

Comoros Article 1 of the Constitution of the Union of the Comoros begins: "The Union of the Comoros is a republic, composed of the autonomous islands of Mohéli, Mayotte, Anjouan, and Grande Comore." Mayotte, geographically a part of the Comoro Islands, was the only island of the four to vote against independence from France (a 63%-37% majority) in the referendum held December 22, 1974. The total vote was 94%-5% in favor of independence. Mayotte is currently a "departmental collectivity" of the French Republic. Map of Mohéli Mohéli, also known as Mwali, is one of the three islands which make up the nation of Comoros. ... Map of Anjouan Anjouan (also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani) is an island in the Comoros. ... Map of Grand Comore Grand Comore (off-white) in relation to Comoros (light brown) Grande Comore (also known as Ngazidja and Ngasidja, and erroneously as Njazidja) is an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. ... December 22 is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ...

The Republic of India From 1950 - present claims Jammu and Kashmir as part of the state's "national territory" as well as what it calls Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and China Occupied Kashmir (COK). 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Jammu and Kashmir   (IPA: , Kashmiri:ज्वम त॒ कॅशीर جۄم تٕہ کٔشِیر, Hindi:जम्मू और कश्मीर, Urdu:جموں Ùˆ کشمیر) (often abbreviated as Kashmir), is the northern-most state of India, lying mostly in the Himalayan mountains. ... Shown in green is the Kashmiri region under Pakistani control. ... China - India Western border showing Aksai Chin Aksai Chin (Simplified Chinese: , Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Ä€kèsàiqÄ«n, Hindi: अकसाई चिन) is a region located at the junction of the Peoples Republic of China, Pakistan, and India. ...

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan from 1950 - claims Jammu and Kashmir as part of their state's "national territory" as well as what it calls "Azad Kashmir". Jammu and Kashmir   (IPA: , Kashmiri:ज्वम त॒ कॅशीर جۄم تٕہ کٔشِیر, Hindi:जम्मू और कश्मीर, Urdu:جموں Ùˆ کشمیر) (often abbreviated as Kashmir), is the northern-most state of India, lying mostly in the Himalayan mountains. ... Azad Kashmir (Urdu: ‎, English: ), is part of the Pakistani administered section of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, along with the Northern Areas; its official name is Azad Jammu and Kashmir. ...

Republic of Ireland From 1937 until 1999 Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland claimed Northern Ireland as part of the state's "national territory". Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Article 2 and Article 3 of Bunreacht na hÉireann, the constitution of the Republic of Ireland, were adopted with the constitution as a whole in 1937, but completely revised by means of the Nineteenth Amendment which took full effect in 1999. ... Anthem: UK: God Save the Queen Regional: (de facto) Londonderry Air Capital Belfast Largest city Belfast Official languages English (de facto), Irish, Ulster Scots 3, Northern Ireland Sign Language, Irish Sign Language Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Office...

Somalia Prior to its break-up as a functioning state, the Somali constitution contained paragraphs explicitly claiming adjacent territories to form a "Greater Somalia". The present Transitional Federal Charter (TFC) of the new Transitional Federal Government (TFG) clearly claims territories which comprise the self-declared independent nation of Somaliland, thus asserting sovereignty over territory of the former Somali Republic. Flag of Somalia, the five edges of the star are said to symbolize the five parts of Greater Somalia Greater Somalia refers to those regions in the Horn of Africa in which ethnic Somalis live. ... The Transitional Federal Charter of the Somali Republic, or TFC is the principle organizing document of the Somali Republic, written and approved in February 2004 in Nairobi, Kenya. ... The Transitional Federal Parliament is an interim parliament of Somalia formed in neighbouring Kenya in 2004. ... Motto: لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله  (Arabic) Lā ilāhā illā-llāhu; muhammadun rasÅ«lu-llāhi  (transliteration) There is no God but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah And also : Justice, Peace, Freedom, Democracy and Success for All Anthem: Saamo ku waar Capital Hargeisa (1941-1960, 1991 - present) Official languages Somali, Arabic... Sovereignty is the exclusive right to exercise supreme political (e. ...

In addition, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Hungary, Suriname and Venezuela have all at one point in their recent history inscribed territorial claims extending into other states in formal documents, such as constitution. Colombia had its borders redrawn early in the 20th century with the independence of Panama in 1903.

Other claims

Spain continues to claim Gibraltar ceded in perpetuity to Britain in 1713, and argues its case at the United Nations claiming its territorial integrity is affected. // Events April 11 - War of the Spanish Succession: Treaty of Utrecht June 23 - French residents of Acadia given one year to declare allegiance to Britain or leave Nova Scotia Canada first Orrery built by George Graham Ongoing events Great Northern War (1700-1721) War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713... The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ...

Some of the most violent irredentist conflicts of recent times in Europe flared up as a consequence of the break-up of the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. The wars in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina were largely about creating a new political framework of states, each of which would be ethnically and politically homogeneous. The conflict erupted further south with the ethnic Albanian majority in Kosovo seeking to switch allegiance to the adjoining state of Albania. (See Chazan, 1991, Irredentism and international politics) This article is 150 kilobytes or more in size. ... Yugoslavia (Jugoslavija in Latin, Југославија in Cyrillic, English: Land of the South Slavs) describes four political entities that existed one at a time on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe, during most of the 20th century. ... Kosovo (Serbian: Косово и Метохија or Kosovo i Metohija, also Космет or Kosmet, Albanian: Kosovë or Kosova) is a province in southern Serbia which has been under United Nations administration since 1999. ...

See also

• List of irredentist claims or disputes
• international relations
• Chauvinism
• Ethnic nationalism
• Ethnic cleansing
• Expansionism
• Extremism
• Fait accompli
• Identity politics
• Lebensraum
• Nationalism
• Propaganda
• Revanchism
• Rump state (a geopolitical state of existence that irredentism may create, seek to correct, or both)
• Status quo ante bellum
• Territorial dispute