Insurrection

An insurrection is an organized, often armed, attempt by a segment of the civilian population to overthrow or challenge the authority of a state or government. It typically involves coordinated action aimed at disrupting the functioning of political and security institutions and may target leaders, forces, or state structures. Insurrections differ from protests or riots in their political aims, level of organization, and willingness to use force; they may be described as rebellions, uprisings, or insurgencies depending on context and scale.

In law and political practice, insurrection is usually treated as a crime or threat to national security and can trigger emergency powers, counterinsurgency measures, or intervention by external actors. Legal definitions vary by jurisdiction, with some frameworks distinguishing insurrection from other forms of political violence and prescribing specific penalties for participants and sponsors. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with rebellion or uprising, though scholars emphasize distinctions in organization, duration, and aims.

Causes commonly include political exclusion or grievance, economic distress, ethnic or religious tensions, or perceived illegitimacy of the government. Insurrections can be spontaneous or highly organized over time, and their trajectories range from rapid suppression to prolonged conflict that may lead to reform or regime change.

Historical examples span colonial and postcolonial contexts as well as modern authoritarian settings. Outcomes depend on factors such as military and popular support, government resilience, international reaction, and the possibility of negotiation or concessions.

Etymology traces the word to Latin insurrectio, from surgere “to rise.”