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Simple English definitions for legal terms
free city
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A quick definition of free city:
A free city is a place that is like a country, but it doesn't have all the same powers as a regular country. It is still important in the world and has to follow international laws.
A more thorough explanation:
A free city is a political and territorial entity that is independent in principle but does not have the full capacity to act according to general international law. Despite this, it is still considered a subject of international law.
- The city of Hamburg in Germany was a free city from 1815 to 1871.
- The city of Danzig (now Gdaลsk) was a free city from 1920 to 1939.
These examples illustrate how a free city is a unique entity that is not quite a country but still has some level of independence and recognition in international law. Hamburg and Danzig were both granted special status as free cities by international treaties, which allowed them to govern themselves to some extent while still being subject to certain international laws and agreements.