Legal Definitions - debellatio

Debellatio is a concept in international law that describes the complete and decisive defeat of one country by another in a war. When debellatio occurs, the defeated country's military and government structures are so thoroughly dismantled that the victorious country gains the sole power to determine the future of the defeated territory. This often leads to the territory's annexation (being absorbed by the victor) or the establishment of new political entities under the victor's influence.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: A Small Island Nation Overwhelmed
  The small island nation of Veritas was completely overwhelmed by the naval and air forces of the larger Republic of Mare. After Veritas's defenses were destroyed and its government leaders captured, the Republic of Mare declared Veritas's territory to be a new administrative district of the Republic, integrating it fully into its own governance structure. This scenario illustrates debellatio because Veritas suffered a total military defeat, allowing the Republic of Mare to unilaterally decide the fate of its territory by annexing it.

• Example 2: A Continental Power Reshaping a Neighbor
  Following a protracted conflict, the powerful Federation of Astra achieved a decisive victory over the neighboring Kingdom of Solara. Solara's army was disbanded, its royal family exiled, and its capital occupied. The Federation then convened an international conference where it dictated the terms for Solara's former territory, dividing it into three new, independent republics, each with constitutions approved by Astra. This is an example of debellatio because Astra's complete military triumph allowed it to unilaterally reshape the political landscape of Solara's former lands, even without direct annexation of the whole.

• Example 3: An Ancient Empire's Conquest
  In ancient times, the mighty Imperium Nova launched a campaign against the independent city-state of Portus. After a swift siege and the destruction of Portus's defenses, the Imperium Nova's legions marched in, dismantled the city council, and declared Portus to be a new province of the Imperium. This historical event demonstrates debellatio, as the complete military subjugation of Portus gave Imperium Nova the sole authority to absorb and govern the city-state's territory, effectively ending Portus's independent existence.