Editing Irredentism (section)

== Often-discussed historical examples ==
{{Main|List of irredentist claims or disputes}}
<!-- This section is intended to give only a brief overview of some of the most discussed cases of irredentism. Other cases or additional details should not be included here but at [[List of irredentist claims or disputes]] or at the corresponding main topic article. -->
The emergence of irredentism is tied to the rise of modern nationalism and the idea of a nation-state, which are often linked to the [[French Revolution]].{{sfn|Lagasse|Goldman|Hobson|Norton|2020|loc=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/reference/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/irredentism Irredentism]}}{{sfn|White|Millett|2019|p=420}} However, some political scholars, like Griffiths ''et al.'', argue that phenomena similar to irredentism existed even before. For example, part of the justification for the [[crusades]] was to liberate fellow [[Christians]] from [[Muslim world|Muslim rule]] and to redeem the [[Holy Land]]. Nonetheless, most theorists see irredentism as a more recent phenomenon. The term was coined in the 19th century and is linked to border disputes between modern states.{{sfn|Griffiths|O'Callaghan|Roach|2008|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=9vU7xX4eNf4C&pg=PA175 175–177]}}{{sfn|Ambrosio|2011|pp=1346–1348|loc=irredentism}}{{sfn|Gilman|Peck|Colby|1905|loc=[[:s:The New International Encyclopædia/Irredentism|Irredentism]]}}

[[File:Czechoslovakia 1939.SVG|thumb|upright=1|alt=Map showing Nazi Germany's annexation of the Sudetenland|The partition of [[Czechoslovakia]] from 1938 through 1939. The dark purple area shows the [[Sudetenland]] annexed by [[Nazi Germany]].]]

Nazi Germany's [[Occupation of Czechoslovakia (1938–1945)|annexation of the Sudetenland]] in 1938 is an often-cited example of irredentism. At the time, the Sudetenland formed part of Czechoslovakia but had a majority German population. Adolf Hitler justified the annexation based on his allegation that [[Sudeten Germans]] were being mistreated by the Czechoslovak government. The Sudetenland was yielded to Germany following the [[Munich Agreement]] in an attempt to prevent the outbreak of a major war.{{sfn|Ambrosio|2022}}{{sfn|Knowles|2006|loc=[https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780198609810.001.0001/acref-9780198609810-e-6831 Sudetenland]}}{{sfn|Ackermann|Schroeder|Terry|Upshur|2008|pp=xxvi, 20}}

Somalia's [[Somali invasion of Ogaden|invasion of Ethiopia]] in 1977 is frequently discussed as a case of African irredentism. The goal of this attack was to unite the significant Somali population living in the [[Ogaden region]] with their kin by annexing this area to create a [[Greater Somalia]]. The invasion escalated into a [[war of attrition]] that lasted about eight months. Somalia was close to reaching its goal but failed in the end, mainly due to an intervention by socialist countries.{{sfn|Ackermann|Schroeder|Terry|Upshur|2008a|p=143}}{{sfn|Christie|1998|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=5IR7UqsmQ0sC&pg=PA139 139]}}{{sfn|Tareke|2000|pp=[https://www.jstor.org/stable/3097438 635–667]}}

[[File:Falkland_Islands_topographic_map-en.svg|thumb|left|upright=1|alt=Map of the Falkland Islands|The [[Falkland Islands]] is a [[British Overseas Territory]] but claimed by [[Argentina]].]]

Argentina's [[1982 Invasion of the Falkland Islands|invasion of the Falkland Islands]] in 1982 is cited as an example of irredentism in South America,{{sfn|Goebel|2011|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=dUqz24zeWmUC&pg=PA196 196–197]}} where the Argentine military government sought to exploit national sentiment over the islands to deflect attention from domestic concerns.{{sfn|Sirlin|2006}}{{sfn|United States. Department of State|1981|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=qu3T0jBzBs8C&pg=PA162 162]}} President [[Juan Perón]] exploited the issue to reduce British influence in Argentina, instituting [[Education in Argentina|educational reform]] teaching the islands were Argentine{{sfn|Escudé|1992|pp=[https://www.academia.edu/6337318/Education_and_Foreign_Policy_The_Case_of_Argentina_1908_1982_amended_with_appendix_ 20, 24, 27]}} and creating a strong nationalist sentiment over the issue.{{sfn|Escudé|1992|pp=[https://www.academia.edu/6337318/Education_and_Foreign_Policy_The_Case_of_Argentina_1908_1982_amended_with_appendix_ 20, 24, 27]}} The war ended with a victory for the UK after about two months even though many analysts considered the Argentine military position unassailable.{{sfn|Woodward|Robinson|1997}}{{sfn|Brunet-Jailly|2015|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=hRjOEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA13 13]}} Although defeated, Argentina did not officially declare the cessation of hostilities until 1989 and successive Argentine governments have continued to claim the islands.<ref>{{multiref2 |1={{harvnb|Ambrosio|2011|pp=1346–1348|loc=irredentism}}  |2={{harvnb|Beck|2006|pp=648–649}}  |3={{harvnb|Ackermann|Schroeder|Terry|Upshur|2008a|pp=xxvi, 147–148}}  |4={{harvnb|West|2002|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=kw5W8m87FpkC&pg=PA406 406]}} }}</ref> The islands are now self-governing with the UK responsible for defence and foreign relations.{{sfn|Cahill|2010}} Referendums in [[1986 Falkland Islands status referendum|1986]] and [[2013 Falkland Islands sovereignty referendum|2013]] show a preference for British sovereignty among the population.{{sfn|BBC staff|2013}} Both the UK{{sfn|Cawkell|2001|p=28}} and Spain{{sfn|Cawkell|2001|p=33}} claimed [[Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute|sovereignty]] in the 18th Century and Argentina claims the islands as a colonial legacy from independence in 1816.{{sfn|Embassy in New Zeland|2023}}{{sfn|Hasani|2023}}

The breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s resulted in various irredentist projects. They include [[Slobodan Milošević]]'s attempts to establish a Greater Serbia by absorbing some regions of neighboring states that were part of former Yugoslavia. A simultaneous similar project aimed at the establishment of a Greater Croatia.{{sfn|White|Millett|2019|pp=420–421}}{{sfn|Ackermann|Schroeder|Terry|Upshur|2008a|pp=49, 468–471}}

[[File:Annexation of Southern and Eastern Ukraine.svg|thumb|Regions of [[Ukraine]] annexed by [[Russia]] since 2014 ([[Crimea]]) and 2022 ([[Donetsk Oblast|Donetsk]], [[Kherson Oblast|Kherson]], [[Luhansk Oblast|Luhansk]] and [[Zaporizhzhia Oblast|Zaporizhzhia]]), with a red line marking the area of actual control by Russia on 30 September 2022]]

[[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Russia's annexation of Crimea]] in 2014 is a more recent example of irredentism.{{sfn|Siroky|Hale|2017|p=1}}{{sfn|Navarro|2015|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=by93BwAAQBAJ&pg=PA536 536]}}{{sfn|Batta|2021|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=8kpREAAAQBAJ&pg=PA2020 2020]}} Beginning in the 15th century [[Common Era|CE]], the Crimean peninsula was a [[Crimean Khanate|Tartar Khanate]]. However, in 1783 the [[Russian Empire]] broke a previous [[Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca|treaty]] and [[Annexation of the Crimean Khanate by the Russian Empire|annexed]] Crimea. In 1954, when both Russia and Ukraine were part of the Soviet Union, it was [[Transfer of Crimea in the Soviet Union|transferred]] from Russia to Ukraine.{{sfn|Anderson|1958|pp=[https://www.jstor.org/stable/4205010 17–41]}}{{sfn|Solchanyk|2001|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=LNvTSDQXFXgC&pg=PA165 165]}} Sixty years later, Russia alleged that the [[Ukrainian government]] did not uphold the rights of [[ethnic Russians]] inhabiting Crimea, using this as a justification for the annexation in March 2014.{{Sfn|Siroky|Hale|2017|p=1}}{{sfn|Navarro|2015|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=by93BwAAQBAJ&pg=PA536 536]}}{{sfn|Batta|2021|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=8kpREAAAQBAJ&pg=PA2020 2020]}} However, it has been claimed that this was only a pretext to increase its territory and power.{{sfn|Siroky|Hale|2017|p=1}} Ultimately, Russia [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|invaded]] the mainland territory of Ukraine in February 2022, thereby escalating the war that continues to the present day.{{sfn|Ray|2023|loc=lead section}}

Other frequently discussed cases of irredentism include disputes between Pakistan and India over [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] as well as [[China]]'s [[Chinese irredentism#Taiwan|claims on Taiwan]].{{sfn|Kornprobst|2008|pp=4, 7–8}}{{sfn|Harding|1988|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=KVPwQD7fWgMC&pg=PA59 59]}}