Junta (governing body) facts for kids
A junta is a word that comes from Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. It can mean two main things:
- A group of people who meet to make decisions, like a council or committee.
- A government run by high-ranking military officers, often after they have taken control of a country by force. This is the most common meaning of "junta" in English.
In countries like Italy and Spain, a giunta or junta can be a civil group that helps run regions or cities. For example, it might be like a city council or a regional government committee.
An older use of the word in English was the Whig Junto, which was a political group in Britain a long time ago in the early 1700s.
The word "junta" is not related to the Sanskrit word Janatā, which means "the public" or "the people."
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What is a Junta?
A junta is a group of people, usually military leaders, who take control of a government. This often happens suddenly, like in a coup. When a junta rules a country, it is called a military dictatorship. This means the military has all the power and makes all the decisions.
Junta as a Council
In some countries, especially those where Spanish, Portuguese, or Italian are spoken, "junta" can simply mean a council or committee. These groups are usually made up of civilians and work within a normal government system. They help make decisions for a city, region, or even a specific project.
For example, in Italy, a giunta is the executive body of a region or a city. It's like the part of the government that carries out decisions. In Spain, the word can refer to various government groups that manage a specific area or situation.
Junta as a Military Government
When people in English talk about a "junta," they usually mean a military junta. This is when a country's government is taken over and run by top military officers. These types of governments are often authoritarian, meaning they have strict control over the people and don't allow much freedom.
Historical Examples of Juntas
Throughout history, there have been many examples of groups called "juntas," both as councils and as military governments.
Juntas in Spain
- Some of the regional governments in Spain are called Juntas, like the Regional Government of Andalusia.
- The parliament of Asturias is called the General Junta of the Principality of Asturias.
- During the Peninsular War (1808–1810), special juntas were formed to govern parts of Spain.
- A junta also acted as a jury during the Valladolid debate in the 1550s.
Juntas in Argentina
- The Primera Junta was the first independent government of Argentina in 1810.
- The Junta Grande followed the Primera Junta in the 1810s.
- The National Reorganization Process was a military junta that ruled Argentina in the 1970s.
Juntas in Chile
- Chile also had several "Government Juntas" in the 1810s, which were important during its fight for independence. You can find a List of Government Juntas of Chile.
Juntas in Portugal
- The National Salvation Junta ruled Portugal from 1974 to 1975, after the Carnation Revolution. This was a military group that took control to restore democracy.
- A Junta de freguesia is the executive body of a civil parish in Portugal.
Other Juntas
- The Revolutionary Government Junta of El Salvador was a series of joint civilian-military governments that ruled El Salvador.
- A Junta (trade unionism) was a group of important British trade union leaders in the 1860s.
See also
