Povstání

Povstání is an organized, armed uprising against a government or occupying power, intended to overthrow or significantly alter the political order. In Czech usage, it refers to actions by a group that seeks to resist or replace the existing authority, often involving violence or coercion. It can be national or local in scope and may be spontaneous or planned.

Etymology: from verb povstat (to rise up); noun povstání.

Characteristics and tactics: participation of civilians and irregular armed groups; use of sabotage, guerrilla warfare, or conventional fighting depending on resources; linked to political aims such as independence, regime change, or resistance to occupation.

Legal and historical context: governments typically label povstání as illegal insurrection; in some cases, acts may escalate to internal armed conflict. Outcomes vary: repression, negotiations, or eventual political change; the longer-term impact depends on external support and internal cohesion.

Notable example: Prague uprising of May 1945 against Nazi occupation, part of the broader end-of-World War II resistance movement. More broadly, povstání have occurred in many states during periods of occupation, authoritarian rule, or social upheaval.