Rebellion

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For other uses, see Rebel (disambiguation) and Rebellion (disambiguation).

Rebellion is a refusal of obedience^[1]. It may therefore be seen as encompassing a range of behaviours from civil disobedience and mass nonviolent resistance, to violent and organized attempts to destroy an established authority such as the government. Those who participate in rebellions are known as "rebels".

Statue of Pier Gerlofs Donia, a famous Frisian folk hero and rebel

Throughout history, many different groups that opposed their governments have been called rebels. In the United States, the term was used for the Continentals by the British in the Revolutionary War, and the Confederacy by the Union in the American Civil War. It also includes members of paramilitary forces who take up arms against an established government.

Most unarmed rebellions have not been against authority in general, but rather have sought to establish a new government in their place. For example, the Boxer Rebellion sought to implement a stronger government in China in place of the weak and divided government of the time. The Jacobite Risings (called "Jacobite Rebellions" by the government) attempted to restore the deposed Stuart kings to the thrones of England and Scotland, rather than abolish the monarchy completely.

Types of rebellion

A violent rebellion is sometimes referred to as an insurgency, while a larger conflict may escalate into a civil war. There are a number of terms that fall under the umbrella of rebel, and they range from those with positive connotations to those with pejorative connotations. Examples include:

Nonviolent resistance or civil disobedience, which do not include violence or paramilitary force
Resistance movement, which is carried out by freedom fighters, often against an occupying foreign power
Revolution, which is carried out by radicals, usually meant to overthrow the current government
Uprising, which is carried out by militants
Revolt, a term that is sometimes used for a more localized rebellions rather than a general uprising
Mutiny, which is carried out by military or security forces against their commanders
Subversion, which are non-overt attempts at sabotaging a government, carried out by spies or other subversives
Terrorism, which is carried out by different kinds of political or religious extremists

References

^ Lalor, John Joseph (1884). Cyclopædia of Political Science, Political Economy, and of the Political .... Rand, McNally, 632.

Rebellion

Types of rebellion

References

See also