History of Annexation in Timeline
Annexation, in international law, is the forceful seizure and claim of sovereignty over one state's territory by another, typically after military occupation. It's deemed illegal under current international law. Unlike cession, where territory is transferred through treaty, annexation is unilateral and involves taking and holding territory. It also differs from the complete conquest of a nation.
1907: Hague Conventions
Building upon earlier conventions, the Hague Conventions of 1907 further developed international law, particularly concerning the conduct of warfare.
1912: Qing Dynasty falls, ROC claims Tibet
Following the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912, the Republic of China (ROC) inherited all Qing territories, including Tibet, as per the Imperial Edict of the Abdication of the Qing Emperor.
1917: End of Russian Empire
The Russian Empire, which included Crimea, came to an end in 1917 following the Russian Revolution.
1920: Covenant of the League of Nations
The Covenant of the League of Nations, established in 1920, marked a significant step towards international cooperation and aimed to prevent future wars.
1921: Crimean ASSR Established
The Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR) was established in 1921 within the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR).
1928: Kellogg–Briand Pact
The Kellogg–Briand Pact of 1928 was an international agreement attempting to outlaw war as a method for resolving disputes.
1939: Establishment of Queen Maud Land's Initial Borders
The initial borders of Queen Maud Land, a Norwegian dependent territory, were established in 1939.
1947: De Facto Independence of Sikkim
Following India's independence from British rule in 1947, Sikkim experienced a period of de facto independence, lasting until 1950.
September 1948: India annexes Hyderabad
In September 1948, after the British withdrawal from India, the princely state of Hyderabad opted for independence. Following the expiration of ultimatums, India launched Operation Polo, invading and conquering most of Hyderabad in five days. On September 18, 1948, the Nizam of Hyderabad signed a treaty, leading to Hyderabad's annexation by India.
1948: Battle for Jerusalem
The Battle for Jerusalem in 1948 was a pivotal event in the Arab-Israeli War, resulting in the division of the city.
1949: Fourth Geneva Convention
The Fourth Geneva Convention (GCIV) of 1949 expanded upon previous international agreements to provide greater protection to civilians during wartime.
October 1950: People's Republic of China takes control of Tibet
In October 1950, following a military conflict in the Chamdo area of western Kham, the People's Republic of China (PRC) took control of Tibet. Many consider this incorporation an annexation.
1950: India Signs Treaty with Sikkim
In 1950, India signed a treaty with Sikkim, establishing Sikkim as a protectorate of India and granting India control over Sikkim's external affairs, defense, diplomacy, and communications.
October 1951: Seventeen Point Agreement signed
In October 1951, the Seventeen Point Agreement was signed by the Government of Tibet, which, if the 1950 events were considered an annexation, legalized the PRC's control over Tibet.
1951: ROC loses effective control of Tibet
Between 1912 and 1951, the ROC lacked effective control over Tibet, a period that saw warlordism, Japanese invasion, and civil war in China.
1952: Federation of Eritrea with Ethiopia
In 1952, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia orchestrated a federation with Eritrea.
1954: Dadra and Nagar Haveli end Portuguese rule
In 1954, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, a Portuguese enclave in India, overthrew Portuguese rule with the aid of nationalist volunteers, achieving de facto independence.
1954: Crimean Oblast Transferred to Ukraine
In 1954, the Crimean Oblast was transferred from the Russian SFSR to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.
September 1955: British Annexation of Rockall
On September 18, 1955, at precisely 10:16 am, the British Crown declared Rockall officially annexed. A team was deposited on the island by a Royal Navy helicopter, where they cemented a brass plaque and hoisted the Union Flag.
1955: Establishment of Sikkim State Council
A state council was established in Sikkim in 1955 with the aim of allowing for constitutional government under the Sikkimese monarch.
1959: Claims of coercion in the Seventeen Point Agreement
From 1959 onwards, claims emerged alleging the Seventeen Point Agreement was signed under duress, sparking debate among academics. Nevertheless, Tibet remains internationally recognized as part of China.
1961: Dadra and Nagar Haveli merge with India
In 1961, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, after enjoying de facto independence since 1954, formally merged with India following an agreement between their government and the Indian government.
1961: India annexes Goa and Daman and Diu
In 1961, a brief military conflict took place between India and Portugal over Goa, Daman, and Diu, then under Portuguese control. India invaded and conquered the territories in 36 hours, ending 451 years of Portuguese colonial rule. While India viewed it as a liberation, Portugal considered it a national tragedy. The UN Security Council's condemnation was vetoed by the Soviet Union, and the territories were incorporated into India.
1962: Annexation of Eritrea by Ethiopia
In 1962, Ethiopia dissolved the federation with Eritrea and annexed it, leading to the Eritrean War of Independence.
1967: Israel Occupies Golan Heights
During the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel captured a significant portion of the Golan Heights from Syria.
1967: Nathu La and Cho La Clashes
In 1967, the Nathu La and Cho La clashes took place, during which Chinese border attacks were repelled.
1967: Start of Israeli Occupation of the Golan Heights
Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights, dating back to 1967, has been a longstanding point of contention in the region and a focus of international diplomacy.
1970: Friendly Relations Declaration
The Friendly Relations Declaration of 1970 reaffirmed key principles of international law, including the prohibition of the use of force against the territorial integrity of states.
1973: Riots and Request for Protection
Riots broke out in front of the palace in Sikkim in 1973, leading to a formal request for protection from India.
April 1975: North Vietnam Annexes South Vietnam
On April 30, 1975, North Vietnam de facto annexed South Vietnam after a military victory that led to the effective dissolution of South Vietnam's government and military.
May 1975: Annexation of Sikkim by India
In May 1975, following a referendum in which a majority voted in favor of joining India, Sikkim officially became the 22nd state of the Indian Union. This event marked the end of the monarchy in Sikkim and its integration into India.
1975: Indonesia annexes East Timor
Following an invasion in 1975, Indonesia annexed East Timor (Timor-Leste) and declared it as its 27th province, though this was not recognized by the United Nations. The East Timorese people resisted Indonesian rule through a prolonged guerrilla campaign.
1976: Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Declares Independence
The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, a partially recognized state, declared independence in 1976 and continues to claim the entire Western Sahara region.
1979: Mauritania Withdraws from Western Sahara
Following a military coup, Mauritania withdrew from Western Sahara in 1979, leaving Morocco in control of the territory.
1980: Jerusalem Law Passed
In 1980, Israel passed the Jerusalem Law, solidifying its claim over the entire city as its unified capital. This move was met with international condemnation and deemed a violation of international law by the UN Security Council.
1981: Golan Heights Law
In 1981, Israel passed the Golan Heights Law, formally extending its control and administration over the territory. This action was widely condemned by the international community as a violation of international law.
1981: Druze Refusal of Israeli Citizenship
In 1981, a large majority of the Druze population in Majdal Shams, located in the Golan Heights, rejected offers of Israeli citizenship.
August 1990: Iraq annexes Kuwait
In August 1990, Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, invaded and annexed Kuwait. Hussein claimed Kuwaiti territory as an Iraqi province and justified the annexation as retaliation for Kuwait's alleged "economic warfare" against Iraq through slant drilling.
1991: Crimea Becomes Part of Ukraine
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Crimea became part of Ukraine in 1991.
1991: UN Peace Process Begins
In 1991, the United Nations initiated a peace process to resolve the conflict in Western Sahara, seeking a solution between Morocco and the Polisario Front.
1995: Jerusalem Embassy Act
The Jerusalem Embassy Act, passed by the US Congress in 1995, recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and sought to relocate the US embassy there. However, its implementation was repeatedly delayed due to national security concerns.
1999: East Timor rejects autonomy, seeks independence
In 1999, in a UN-sponsored referendum, the East Timorese people rejected an offer of autonomy within Indonesia, choosing independence instead.
2002: East Timor achieves independence
In 2002, East Timor achieved independence from Indonesia and became officially known as Timor-Leste.
November 2012: UN Condemns Israeli Occupation of Golan Heights
The UN General Assembly, in November 2012, strongly condemned Israel's continued occupation of the Golan Heights, labeling it illegal and demanding a full Israeli withdrawal.
2012: UN Mediates Direct Negotiations
As of mid-2012, the UN has been actively mediating direct negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario Front, aiming to find a resolution for the Western Sahara conflict.
June 2015: Norway's Expansion of Queen Maud Land
On June 12, 2015, Norway formally claimed to have annexed an unclaimed area between the 1939 borders of Queen Maud Land, a Norwegian dependent territory, and the South Pole.
March 2019: International Condemnation of US Recognition of Golan Heights Annexation
The US decision in March 2019 to recognize Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights was met with widespread international criticism, with many nations and the UN Secretary-General reaffirming the territory's status as under Israeli occupation.
2019: Expiration of US Presidential Waiver on Jerusalem Embassy Relocation
In 2019, the presidential waiver allowing for the postponement of the US embassy's relocation to Jerusalem, as stipulated by the Jerusalem Embassy Act, expired.
2019: US Recognizes Israeli Sovereignty over Golan Heights
In a controversial move, the United States recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights in 2019.
