Coup d'état facts for kids

A coup d'état (pronounced "koo day-TAH"), or just coup for short, is when a small group of people suddenly takes control of a country's government. This usually means removing the current leader or leaders from power.

Unlike a revolution, which often involves many people rising up, a coup can be done by just a few individuals. Sometimes, a single person who controls the country's army, like Idi Amin once did, can cause a coup. Other countries can also be involved in helping a coup happen, such as the 1953 Iranian coup d'état. A famous coup that failed was the Beer Hall Putsch, where Adolf Hitler tried to take over the government of the state of Bavaria in Germany.

The word "coup d'état" comes from the French language. It means "a sudden blow or strike to a state."

Sometimes, the word "coup" is used informally to describe a sudden takeover or big win in places other than government, like inside a company or a large organization.

What is a Coup?

A coup is a quick and often surprising way for a new group to take charge of a country. It's different from an election, where people vote for their leaders. In a coup, power is taken by force or by trickery, not by popular vote.

Who Carries Out Coups?

Coups are often carried out by people who have a lot of power already. This could be:

• Military leaders: Soldiers or generals often have the weapons and organization needed to take control.
• High-ranking officials: Sometimes, people already working in the government might try to take over.
• Small groups: A small number of people working together can plan and execute a coup.

Coups vs. Revolutions

It's important to know the difference between a coup and a revolution:

• Coup: A coup is usually led by a small group of people, often from within the existing government or military. It aims to change the leadership at the top without necessarily changing the whole system of government.
• Revolution: A revolution involves a large number of ordinary people. They often want to change the entire political and social system of a country, not just the leaders. Revolutions can be much bigger and last longer than coups.

Famous Examples of Coups

Throughout history, there have been many coups, some successful and some not.

The 1953 Iranian Coup

In 1953, there was a coup in Iran. This event involved outside countries helping to remove the elected leader at the time. It shows how international politics can sometimes play a role in a country's internal changes.

The Beer Hall Putsch

The Beer Hall Putsch was a failed coup attempt in 1923 in Germany. Adolf Hitler and his followers tried to take over the government of Bavaria, a state within Germany. They failed, and Hitler was arrested. This event is an example of a coup that did not succeed.

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