A Military invasion occurs when armed forces of one geopolitical entity cross into another territory with the intent of conquest or occupation. This type of action is usually part of a larger war and can occur on land, sea or in the air. Military invasions can be small-scale or large-scale, and they often result in the occupying force profoundly changing the culture of the invaded area.
Invasion has a long history dating back thousands of years, and it continues to play an important role in the global political landscape today. To determine the most famous military invasions of the past one hundred years, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a wide variety of historical and military sources.
Some of the most famous invasions are known for their strategic importance and dramatic impact on world history. For example, Genghis Khan’s military invasion of Central Asia spawned the Mongol Empire which covered most of the continent, and the invasion of France at the Battle of Normandy advanced the Western front of the Second World War, forcing the retreat of Germany’s Rommel and other German armies.
Other notable invasions have shifted the borders of many nations and have influenced the way people live in those territories. Invasions may be motivated by the desire for immediate looting; a quest to acquire natural resources such as water or petroleum supplies; an attempt to punish enemies or retaliate against perceived wrongdoing; policies of national interest, such as preemption of a real or perceived future attack; religious ideology; or simply the need to quell destabilizing or unconscionable conflict among or between neighbors.
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