overthrow

Overthrow is the act of removing a governing authority or ruling system from power. In politics, it usually refers to the removal of a government or monarch and can occur through force, coercion, mass protest, or popular movement. The term also appears in other senses, such as physically overturning an object or, in sports, a throw that goes beyond its intended target.

Political overthrow encompasses different pathways to regime change. It may be achieved through a coup d'état, a popular uprising, a revolution, or negotiated transition. Legitimacy and recognition of the new authority vary and can depend on domestic support, military backing, and international reaction. Overthrows may be premeditated and rapid or the result of prolonged conflict.

Consequences of an overthrow range from immediate political realignment and policy change to prolonged instability or civil war. Legal systems may be suspended, constitutions amended, and institutions rebuilt under new authority. External actors may influence outcomes through diplomacy, sanctions, or recognition of the new government.

Historically, cases include the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which displaced James II in England; the Egyptian revolution of 1952 that ended monarchy and established a republic; and numerous coups in the 20th century across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The term continues to be used in contemporary politics to describe the removal of leaders or regimes outside normal constitutional processes.