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Rebellion

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A rebellion is an organized uprising against a government. A rebel is a person who takes part in this movement. Often, people join rebel groups to gain political control. They might want to rule an entire state or just one part of it. These actions are usually caused by social, religious, or political grievances. This means people feel that things are unfair or that they are being left out.

Prise de la Bastille
Prise de la Bastille

There are many different names for these types of movements. An insurrection is an armed revolt used to change leaders or laws by force. If a government does not see the rebels as official fighters, it calls them insurgents. When a fight happens between different groups within one country, it is called a civil war. Sometimes, a very small group tries to take over the government. This is called a coup d'état or a putsch. If the whole system of society changes, it is called a revolution.

Many thinkers have tried to explain why rebellions happen. Karl Marx believed that revolutions are driven by class struggles. He looked at how society organizes labor and technology. He thought conflict happens when the people who produce goods do not own the tools they use. This creates a struggle between different classes of people. Marx called revolutions the "locomotives of history" because they help move society forward. These changes can replace an old way of living with a new system.

Kings Proclamation 1775 08 23
Kings Proclamation 1775 08 23

Other experts focus on feelings and power. Ted Gurr said that people often rebel because of anger. He called this "relative deprivation." This is the feeling that you are getting less than you deserve. For example, a worker might feel left out as machines take over their jobs. Charles Tilly argued that rebellion is a normal way for groups to compete for power. He said that groups must be organized to succeed. Success often depends on different groups joining together to form a coalition.

Marsigli Filippo - The Death of Markos Botsaris - Google Art Project
Marsigli Filippo - The Death of Markos Botsaris - Google Art Project

Some scholars look at how healthy a society is. Chalmers Johnson thought rebellions happen when a society cannot adapt to new values. If a government is too rigid, it may stop working well with its people. Theda Skocpol studied how social revolutions change the very structure of a country. She looked at the French, Russian, and Chinese revolutions to find patterns. These big changes often start from the bottom of society. They aim to change more than just the leaders; they change how everyone lives.

Prise de la Bastille
Prise de la Bastille
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File:Prise de la Bastille.jpg
Prise de la Bastille.jpg
File:Marsigli Filippo - The Death of Markos Botsaris - Google Art Project.jpg
Marsigli Filippo - The Death of Markos...
File:Kings Proclamation 1775 08 23.png
Kings Proclamation 1775 08 23.png
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