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Political union Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Political Unions: Concepts and Case Studies

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Political Unions: Concepts and Case Studies Study Guide

Foundations of Political Unions

A political union is defined exclusively as the process by which smaller polities achieve unification.

Answer: False

Explanation: The definition of a political union encompasses both the resulting entity and the process of its formation, not exclusively the process.

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Within a federal government structure, subdivisions of a political union are commonly called prefectures or provinces.

Answer: False

Explanation: Subdivisions within a federal government are typically termed federated states or federal territories. Prefectures or provinces are more characteristic of centralized administrative structures.

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The federal government in a political union typically holds exclusive control over foreign affairs and military forces.

Answer: True

Explanation: Within a federalized political union, the central federal government characteristically retains exclusive authority over matters of external sovereignty, such as foreign affairs and military operations.

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Internationally, a political union is recognized as a group of separate polities rather than a single entity.

Answer: False

Explanation: Internationally, a political union is recognized as a single, unified political entity, not merely a group of separate polities.

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What is the fundamental definition of a political union?

Answer: An entity formed from smaller polities, or the process of its formation.

Explanation: A political union is fundamentally defined as either an entity constituted from constituent polities or the process through which such an entity is established.

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How does a political union differ from personal or real unions, according to the text?

Answer: In political unions, constituent entities are subordinate or coordinated within a larger structure.

Explanation: Political unions are distinguished from personal or real unions by the subordinate or coordinated status of their constituent entities within a larger structure, rather than the retention of full sovereignty.

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Which power is typically retained exclusively by the federal government in a federalized political union?

Answer: Foreign affairs

Explanation: The federal government in a federalized political union characteristically holds exclusive control over foreign affairs and military forces.

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What is the international recognition status of a political union?

Answer: A single, unified political entity.

Explanation: On the international stage, a political union is recognized as a singular, unified political entity.

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Types of Unions and Structures

In a political union, constituent entities always retain full sovereignty, unlike in personal or real unions.

Answer: False

Explanation: In political unions, constituent entities are typically subordinate to a central government or coordinated within a larger structure, thus not retaining full sovereignty as they might in personal or real unions.

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The terms 'legislative union' and 'state union' are never used synonymously with 'political union'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The terms 'legislative union' and 'state union' are indeed used synonymously with 'political union' in certain contexts.

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An incorporating union creates a new state while dissolving the previously existing ones, though some aspects may be retained.

Answer: True

Explanation: This accurately describes an incorporating union, where a new sovereign entity is formed from the dissolution of prior states, with potential retention of some former institutions or laws.

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In an incorporating union, the laws and institutions of former states are always completely abolished.

Answer: False

Explanation: While an incorporating union dissolves the prior states, it does not necessarily follow that all their laws and institutions are completely abolished; some may be retained.

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The Treaty of Union guaranteed the continuation of Scotland's civil laws and court system.

Answer: True

Explanation: This guarantee was a significant provision within the Treaty of Union, ensuring the preservation of Scotland's distinct legal and judicial framework.

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What defines an incorporating union?

Answer: A new state is created, dissolving the previous states.

Explanation: An incorporating union is defined by the creation of a new state through the dissolution of previously existing states, though elements of the former may persist.

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Why might aspects of former states be preserved in an incorporating union?

Answer: To ensure the union's success or mitigate resistance.

Explanation: Aspects of former states may be preserved in an incorporating union to facilitate its success or to mitigate resistance from constituent populations.

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What specific guarantee was included for Scotland in the Treaty of Union 1707?

Answer: Continuation of its civil laws and court system.

Explanation: The Treaty of Union of 1707 included a specific guarantee for the continuation of Scotland's civil laws and its established court system.

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The unification of Italy is described as what type of union?

Answer: Mixed Union

Explanation: The unification of Italy is characterized as a mixed union, integrating diverse methods of unification.

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Processes of Unification and Annexation

Reunification is the term used when separate states that have never previously formed a single entity decide to unite.

Answer: False

Explanation: Reunification specifically denotes the process where separate states that had previously constituted a single entity decide to unite.

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The Acts of Union 1707 are cited as an example of an incorporating union that formed the United Kingdom.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Acts of Union 1707 formed the Kingdom of Great Britain by uniting England and Scotland. The United Kingdom, in its later form including Ireland, was established by the Acts of Union 1800.

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An incorporating annexation occurs when a new state is formed by dissolving multiple prior states.

Answer: False

Explanation: An incorporating annexation involves the dissolution of one or more states into an *existing* state, which continues its legal identity, rather than the formation of an entirely new state.

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The People's Republic of China annexed Tibet in 1997.

Answer: False

Explanation: The People's Republic of China annexed Tibet in 1951, not 1997.

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England formally annexed Wales through the Laws in Wales Acts passed in 1535 and 1542.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Laws in Wales Acts of 1535 and 1542 represent the legislative framework through which England formally incorporated Wales.

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In a federal annexation, a state loses its international sovereignty but retains its domestic legal existence.

Answer: True

Explanation: This accurately describes the outcome of federal annexation, where the annexed entity becomes a constituent part of a larger federal state, losing its independent international standing but maintaining its internal legal framework.

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The United States federally annexed the Republic of Texas in 1803.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Republic of Texas was federally annexed by the United States in 1846, not 1803.

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Crimea and Sevastopol were annexed by the Russian Federation in 2014.

Answer: True

Explanation: The annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation occurred in 2014, an event widely contested internationally.

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The unification of Italy is presented as an example of a purely federal annexation.

Answer: False

Explanation: The unification of Italy is characterized as a mixed union, involving both voluntary accession and conquest/annexation, rather than a purely federal annexation.

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German reunification occurred on August 1, 1945.

Answer: False

Explanation: German reunification took place on October 3, 1990. August 1, 1945, is related to the post-WWII division of Germany.

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The Anschluss in 1938 was the unification of the German-speaking cantons of Switzerland.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Anschluss in 1938 referred to the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany, not the unification of Swiss cantons.

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Yemen unified in 1990, having been divided since North Yemen gained independence in 1945.

Answer: False

Explanation: Yemen unified in 1990, but North Yemen gained independence in 1918, not 1945.

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Which term describes the unification of separate states that previously formed a single entity?

Answer: Reunification

Explanation: Reunification is the specific term used to denote the process whereby states that were once a single entity come together again.

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Which of the following is listed as a historical example of an incorporating union?

Answer: The Acts of Union 1707 forming the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Explanation: The Acts of Union 1707, which formed the Kingdom of Great Britain, are cited as a historical example of an incorporating union.

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How does an incorporating annexation differ from an incorporating union?

Answer: In annexation, states dissolve into an *existing* state; in a union, a *new* state is created from dissolved states.

Explanation: The primary difference between an incorporating annexation and an incorporating union lies in state creation: an incorporating annexation dissolves states into an existing state, while an incorporating union forms a new state from dissolved prior states.

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Which of the following is cited as a historical example of incorporating annexation?

Answer: England's annexation of Wales under the Laws in Wales Acts.

Explanation: England's annexation of Wales under the Laws in Wales Acts is cited as a historical example of incorporating annexation.

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When did England formally annex the Principality of Wales?

Answer: 1535 and 1542

Explanation: England formally annexed the Principality of Wales through the Laws in Wales Acts enacted in 1535 and 1542.

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What is the status of a state's legal existence after a federal annexation?

Answer: It loses international sovereignty but continues domestically under federal authority.

Explanation: Following a federal annexation, a state loses its international sovereignty but retains its domestic legal existence, becoming a federated unit within the larger state.

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Which of these is an example of federal annexation mentioned in the source?

Answer: The admission of Prince Edward Island into Canada.

Explanation: The admission of Prince Edward Island into Canada is cited as an example of federal annexation.

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When did German reunification occur?

Answer: 1990

Explanation: German reunification occurred in 1990.

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What event does the source identify as the 'Anschluss' in 1938?

Answer: The incorporation of Austria into Greater Germany.

Explanation: The 'Anschluss' in 1938 is identified as the incorporation of Austria into Greater Germany.

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Yemen unified in 1990. Since when had it been divided prior to unification?

Answer: 1918

Explanation: Yemen unified in 1990, having been divided since North Yemen gained independence in 1918.

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Which event resulted in the formation of the United Kingdom by uniting Great Britain and Ireland?

Answer: The Acts of Union 1800

Explanation: The Acts of Union 1800 resulted in the formation of the United Kingdom by uniting the Kingdom of Ireland with the Kingdom of Great Britain.

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Theories and Motivations for Union

Political unions can only be formed through voluntary and mutual cession of powers.

Answer: False

Explanation: While voluntary cession of powers is one method, political unions can also arise through coercion or conquest.

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Preserving former states' interests within a union is often done to ensure the union's success or reduce opposition.

Answer: True

Explanation: Strategic preservation of certain aspects of former states' interests can be a pragmatic approach to facilitate the stability and acceptance of a new political union.

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For states to voluntarily unify successfully, their preservation arrangements must lack any mutually beneficial reasoning.

Answer: False

Explanation: Successful voluntary unification typically relies on arrangements for preserving interests that are underpinned by mutually beneficial reasoning, fostering cooperation and stability.

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Political scientist William Riker suggested that a common language is the primary motivator for political unions.

Answer: False

Explanation: William Riker identified security threats as the primary motivator for political unions, contrasting with the emphasis on common language found in other analyses.

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What condition must underpin arrangements for preserving former states' interests during a union?

Answer: There must be some form of mutually beneficial reasoning.

Explanation: Arrangements for preserving former states' interests during a union must be grounded in mutually beneficial reasoning to ensure their efficacy and acceptance.

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What did William Riker identify as the primary motivator for political unions?

Answer: Security threats

Explanation: William Riker identified security threats as the principal motivator for the formation of political unions.

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Ryan Griffiths' analysis suggests that voluntary political unifications consistently require the presence of what?

Answer: A common language.

Explanation: Ryan Griffiths' analysis indicates that voluntary political unifications consistently necessitate the presence of a common language.

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