Annex definition world history

annex


verb







There are
12
meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb
annex
, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.




About 4occurrences per million words in modern written English






1750

30



1760

30



1770

31



1780

30



1790

28



1800

28



1810

26



1820

23



1830

19



1840

16



1850

14



1860

13



1870

12



1880

11



1890

10



1900

9.6



1910

9.4



1920

8.7



1930

8.0



1940

7.2



1950

6.9



1960

6.3



1970

5.6



1980

4.7



1990

4.1



2000

3.9



2010

3.8










Earliest known use

Middle English



The earliest known use of the verb
annex
is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).

OED's earliest evidence for
annex
is from 1395, in
12 Concl. Lollards
.





annex
is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from
French
. Partly a borrowing from
Latin
.


Etymons:
Frenchannexer; Latinannectere.



Nearby entries



annelation, n.1860–

annelid, n. & adj.1813–

Annelida, n.1826–

annelidan, n. & adj.1835–

annelidian, adj.1837–

annelidous, adj.1835–56

annelism, n.18


Etymology

From Medieval Latin
annexation-
, stem of
annexatio
(action of annexing), from past participle of
annecto
.

Noun


annexation
(countable and uncountable, plural
annexations
)


Addition or incorporation of something, or territories that have been annexed.


The
annexation
of Petra by Rome was a historically significant event.




(law) A legal merging of a territory into another body.



Credits


New World Encyclopedia
writers and editors copied and adjusted this
Wiktionary
entry in accordance with
NWE
standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit for this article is due to both
New World Encyclopedia
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key term - Annex


Definition

To annex means to formally add territory to an existing political entity, often through force or legal means. This action can significantly alter the political landscape, as seen in the context of imperialism and the expansionist ambitions of nations, as well as during the lead-up to global conflicts where territorial disputes played a key role.



5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test


Annexation was a key tactic used by imperial powers during the 19th and early 20th centuries to expand their empires and assert dominance over weaker nations.

The annexation of territories often led to conflicts, as local populations resisted foreign control and sought to maintain their sovereignty.

In World War II, Germany's annexation of Austria in 1938 exemplified aggressive expansionism and set a precedent for further territorial claims.

The concept of self-determination emerged partly as a reaction against annexation, advocating for the rights of peoples to determine their own political status.

Annexation can occur through various means, including treaties, military conquest, or claims based on historical or cultural ties.




Review Questions


How did

Annexation facts for kids


Annexation is when one country takes over another country's land by force. It's like one country saying, "This land is ours now!" even if the people living there don't agree. This act is usually done without permission from the country whose land is being taken. The word "annexation" comes from Latin words meaning "to join to."

What is Annexation?

Annexation is a one-sided action. This means one country decides to seize and control another territory. It is different from a country buying land or gaining it through a treaty. Annexation often happens after a war or a conflict. It changes the borders and control of a territory.

Why Do Countries Annex Land?

Countries might annex land for several reasons. They might want more resources, like oil or minerals. Sometimes, they want to control important trade routes or strategic locations. Other times, it's about power and expanding their influence.

Historical Examples of Annexation

Throughout history, many territories have been annexed. These events often lead to big changes for the people living in those areas.



Kuwait (1990):
In 1990, Iraq tried to annex Kuwait. This led to the Gulf War. Many countr