irredentism

American  

[ir-i-den-tiz-uhm] / ˌɪr ɪˈdɛn tɪz əm /

noun

1. (usually initial capital letter) an Italian association that became prominent in 1878, advocating the incorporation into Italy of certain neighboring regions having a primarily Italian population.

   After World War II, Irredentism faded away in Italian politics.

2. the acquisition or annexation of a region previously included in another country because of cultural, historical, ethnic, racial, or other ties, or advocacy for such an acquisition.

   Few countries are explicitly mandating irredentism, but having ethnic communities divided by borders created by colonialists is hugely troublesome.

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Etymology

Origin of irredentism

First recorded in 1880–85; irredent(ism) ( def. ) + -ist ( def. )

Example Sentences

Outsiders gape in confusion, but such arcane arguments lend a patina of academic authority to the mostly emotional support irredentism often enjoys.

From Washington Post

However, normal relations between Israel and its neighbor states should not be held hostage to Palestinian irredentism.

From Washington Post

All the people testifying believe that propping up Ukrainian democracy and supporting Kiev’s struggle against Russian irredentism is an essential goal for U.S. foreign policy.

From New York Times

After the statue was unveiled, the Croats summoned Italy’s ambassador in Zagreb and condemned it as celebrating irredentism, the turn-of-the-20th-century Italian movement to reclaim “unredeemed” lands.

From New York Times

Prewar evils such as irredentism and anti-Semitism are alive in mainstream politics to a degree they are not on the other side of the former Iron Curtain.

From Washington Post