In history, it has long been necessary to describe the political manifestation of a persistent desire to return the territories lost by the country. Therefore, the term "revanchism" was introduced, which includes not only patriotic, but also economic factors of influence in the motivation for such actions.
What is revanchism?
The definition of this concept can be given quite clearly. This is the desire of countries, public or party groups to reconsider the results of the political or military losses inflicted on them. But if the term "revenge" has a rather neutral connotation, then the concept of "revanchism" has a negative connotation. Such an action may not apply to all the losing states, but only to those that initiated an unjust, but active aggression.
Revanchism is a political action that begins with silence or downplaying responsibility for a country's own aggressive actions, and ends with a complete denial of involvement and guilt. Then calls for a new military battle may follow, so thatwin back the territories, political significance lost during the last battle, or restore the old system of relations between states.
Revanchism is a policy that, in the absence of restraining forces, can become the ideology of the country and the basis of the state system.
Examples
Revanchism is a term that was first used in France, after its desire to regain the territory of Alsace-Lorraine, which went under German rule after the war.
Similar actions were observed from Hungary. The country after the First World War wanted to reconsider the boundaries of its territory.
Revanchism is an ideology that is also found in the modern world. It centers around historical regions and looks like a competition for ostensibly cultural values. Very often, such actions are found in municipal politics.
