Annexion

Annexion, a term used in German and in English-language contexts, refers to the unilateral incorporation of territory into a state, typically following military action or political pressure, and often without the consent of the residents or their government. It is distinct from cession, where territory changes hands by treaty, and from peaceful unification or voluntary merging.

In international law, acquisition of territory by force is generally regarded as unlawful. The United Nations Charter prohibits the use of force to alter borders, and customary law emphasizes sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, the legal and political status of annexations often depends on recognition by other states; some governments refuse to acknowledge the change, while others may recognize it, creating a mixed and evolving situation. Annexation can be executed de facto, through occupation and administration, or de jure, via a formal declaration or treaty. In practice, legitimacy is frequently tested in diplomacy, sanctions, and international bodies.

Notable historical cases include the 1938 annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany and the 2014 annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation; both were widely condemned and not recognized by the majority of states. The 1990–1991 intervention and annexation attempt by Iraq in Kuwait also drew broad non-recognition and international response. Annexation remains a controversial mechanism for altering borders, contrasted with secession, peaceful agreement, and other forms of territorial change.