Editing Ultimatum (section)

{{short description|Final demand backed up by a threat}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
[[File:Unceremonious Treatment of the Russian Ultimatum.jpg|thumb|right|314px|The 1853 negotiations between Russian envoy, [[Alexander Sergeyevich Menshikov|Prince Menshikov]], and the [[Abdülmecid I|Turkish Sultan]] about the protection of [[Eastern Orthodox|Orthodox Christian]]s in the [[Ottoman Empire]] involved a series of ultimata. On 31 May, Russia threatened that the vassal states of [[Moldavia]] and [[Wallachia]] would be occupied if Menshikov's note was not accepted within seven days. This ''[[Punch (magazine)|Punch]]'' cartoon satirises rejection of the ultimatum.<ref>{{citation |chapter=The Crimean War Crisis, 1853-1854 |title=Crisis Diplomacy |pages=69–105 |author=James L. Richardson |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |year=1994 |isbn=9780521459877}}</ref>]]  

An {{langnf|la|'''{{noitalic|ultimatum}}'''|the last one|paren=left}}; {{IPAc-en|ˌ|ʌ|l|t|ɪ|ˈ|m|eɪ|t|əm}}; {{plural form}}: '''ultimata''' or '''ultimatums''') is a demand whose fulfillment is requested in a specified period of time and which is backed up by a [[coercion|threat]] to be followed through in case of noncompliance (open loop). An ultimatum is generally the final demand in a series of requests. As such, the time allotted is usually short, and the request is understood not to be open to further [[negotiation]]. The threat which backs up the ultimatum can vary depending on the demand in question and on the other circumstances.

The word is used in [[diplomacy]] to signify the final terms submitted by one of the parties in negotiation for settlement of any subject of disagreement. It is accompanied by an intimation as to how refusal will be regarded. English diplomacy has devised the adroit reservation that refusal will be regarded as an "unfriendly act", a phrase which serves as a warning that the consequences of the rupture of negotiations will be considered from the point of view of forcing a settlement. This opens up a variety of possibilities, such as good offices, [[mediation]], the appointment of a commission of inquiry, [[arbitration]], [[reprisal]]s, [[pacific blockade]] and [[war]].{{efn|To these may be added a new unofficial method devised by the Turks in connexion with the Austro-Turkish difficulty over the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, viz. the boycotting of the goods and ships of the natives of the state against which the grievance exists. This is a method open to weaker as against more powerful states, which can have serious coercive and even complicated consequences under the influence of democratic institutions.}}