Question

case study: irredentism in ukraine (p.279)
describe how russia’s annexation of crimea is an example of irredentism.

Explanation:

Irredentism is a political or popular movement aiming to reclaim a territory considered "lost" (due to historical, ethnic, or cultural ties) for one's nation. Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 ties to irredentism:

1. Ethnic/Cultural Ties: Crimea has a significant ethnic Russian population (majority in 2014), sharing language, culture, and historical ties to Russia.
2. Historical Claim: Crimea was part of Russia (1783–1954, then transferred to Ukraine SSR; post - USSR, remained in Ukraine until 2014). Russia framed the annexation as protecting ethnic Russians and reclaiming a historically "Russian" territory.
3. Political Narrative: Russia used narratives of defending Russian speakers from perceived Ukrainian "nationalism" and restored Crimea to "Russian sovereignty," aligning with irredentist goals of reuniting a territory with its "mother nation" based on shared identity and history.

Answer:

Russia's annexation of Crimea is an example of irredentism as it involved reclaiming a territory (Crimea) with strong ethnic - Russian, cultural, and historical ties to Russia, using the pretext of protecting ethnic Russians and restoring a historically Russian - linked region to Russian sovereignty.