Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A coup d'état is an illegal and often violent seizure of power from a government, typically carried out by military forces or other internal factions within a country.
Related terms
Regime Change: Refers to any significant alteration in political leadership or governing system within a country.
Junta: Describes a group of military officers who seize control after overthrowing an existing government.
Dictatorship: Represents an authoritarian form of government where one person holds absolute power and authority.