Which term describes the attempt to annex territory based on ethnicity or historical ties?

• A. Irredentism
• B. Secession
• C. Assimilation
• D. Federalism

Answer: (A)

Irredentism describes a political drive to annex territory on the basis of shared ethnicity or historical ties, arguing that lands inhabited by the nation’s people—or lands historically part of the nation—rightfully belong within the homeland. The idea is to “redeem” these areas by reclaiming control over them, even if they’re currently governed by another state. This focus on uniting culturally or historically linked lands with the nation is what distinguishes irredentism from other concepts.

For comparison, secession is about a region breaking away to form its own state, not about grabbing neighboring territory. Assimilation is the process of minority groups becoming part of the dominant culture within the existing state, not redrawing borders. Federalism is a governance structure that distributes power between central and regional authorities, unrelated to claims on territory based on ethnicity or history.