What is Annexation in International Law?

In the context of international law, annexation refers to the process by which a state takes control of another state's territory, either through military conquest or through a treaty. The annexing state then absorbs the annexed territory into its own political and legal system, making it part of its own territory.

Annexation is different from other forms of acquisition of territory, such as cession or transfer of sovereignty, in that it involves the forcible takeover of another state's territory without its consent. This can be done through the use of military force, threats of force, or other coercive means.

Examples of annexation include the annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898, the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine by Germany in 1871, and the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014.

Annexation is generally considered to be a violation of international law, as it involves the forcible takeover of another state's territory without its consent. The international community has established several principles of international law that prohibit annexation, including the principle of non-intervention and the principle of self-determination. These principles hold that states should not interfere in the internal affairs of other states and that all states have the right to determine their own political and legal systems.

In summary, annexation is the process by which a state takes control of another state's territory through military conquest or coercive means, without the consent of the annexed state. It is generally considered to be a violation of international law and is not recognized as a legitimate form of acquisition of territory.