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List of revolutions and rebellions
List of revolutions and rebellions
from Wikipedia

The storming of the Bastille, 14 July 1789, during the French Revolution.
Greek War of Independence, (1821–29), rebellion of Greeks within the Ottoman Empire, a struggle which resulted in the establishment of an independent Greece.
The Sepoy revolt at Meerut in 1857, part of the First War of Indian Independence against the British Empire.
Irish rebellion of 1798, uprising against British rule in Ireland.

This is a list of revolutions, rebellions, insurrections, and uprisings.

BC

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  Revolutionary/rebel victory
  Revolutionary/rebel defeat
  Another result (e.g. a treaty or peace without a clear result, status quo ante bellum, result unknown or indecisive)
  Ongoing conflict

1–999 AD

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1000–1499

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1500–1699

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1700–1799

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The so-called kuruc were armed anti-Habsburg rebels in Royal Hungary between 1671 and 1711.
Depiction of the Battle of Vinegar Hill during the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

1800–1849

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Castle Hill convict rebellion (1804): The Battle of Vinegar Hill.
Norwegian Constituent Assembly in 1814
The defeat of the Spanish army at Ayacucho on 9 December 1824 was the definitive end of Spain's empire on the South America mainland.
Fighting in the streets of Lyon during the 1831 revolt
Cheering revolutionaries in Berlin during the Revolutions of 1848, Berlin Palace in the background

1850–1899

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Battle of the Yangtze during the Taiping Rebellion.
A scene from the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Execution of mutineers by blowing from a gun by the British, 8 September 1857.
Confederate soldiers killed behind wall during the Battle of Chancellorsville of the American Civil War.
Paris Commune, 29 May 1871
The Herzegovina uprising of 1875–1877 was an uprising led by Christian population, mostly Serbs, against the Ottoman Empire
Boxer Rebellion fighting Eight-Nation Alliance
The current Puerto Rican Flag was flown for the first time in Puerto Rico by Fidel Vélez and his men during the "Intentona de Yauco" revolt

1900s

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Demonstrations in Istanbul during the Young Turk Revolution

1910s

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Leaders of the 1910 revolt after the First Battle of Juárez. Seen are José María Pino Suárez, Venustiano Carranza, Francisco I. Madero (and his father), Pascual Orozco, Pancho Villa, Gustavo A. Madero, Raul Madero, Abraham González, and Giuseppe Garibaldi II
Establishment of Republic of China Hubei Military Government on 11 October 1911, the day after Wuchang uprising
1917 – Execution at Verdun during the winter of 1916

1920s

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Riffian Berber rebels during the Rif War in Spanish Morocco, 1922

1930s

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Soldiers assembled in front of the Throne Hall, Siam, 24 June 1932
Austrian Civil War: Army soldiers take position in front of the Vienna State Opera

1940s

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Patrol of Lieut. Stanisław Jankowski ("Agaton") from Battalion Pięść, 1 August 1944: "W-hour" (17:00)
The PLA enters Beijing in the Pingjin Campaign and control the later capital of PRC

1950s

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External audio
audio icon Newsreel scenes in Spanish of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party Revolts of the 1950s here
Barricades in Algiers. "Long live Massu" (Vive Massu) is written on the banner. (January 1960)
Raúl Castro (left), with his arm around second-in-command Ernesto "Che" Guevara, in their Sierra de Cristal Mountain stronghold in Oriente Province Cuba, 1958.

1960s

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Portuguese soldiers in Angola
Barricades in Bordeaux during the May 68 revolt in France.

1970s

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Ruhollah Khomeini returns to Iran after 14 years of exile on 1 February 1979
Nicaraguan National Guard clashes with Sandinista rebels in 1979, during the Nicaraguan Revolution.

1980s

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Diretas Já demonstration in São Paulo, Brazil, 1984, demanding direct presidential election and an end to the military dictatorship.
Fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, during the Revolutions of 1989.

1990s

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Russian Mil Mi-8 helicopter downed by Chechens near Grozny, December 1994

2000s

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Police clash with protestors during the December 2001 riots in Argentina.

2010s

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Tahrir Square protest during the Arab Spring in Egypt.
Demonstration in Homs against the Syrian government, 18 April 2011.
A line of riot police in the city of Kyiv during the 2014 Ukrainian revolution.
The sentencing of nine Catalan independence leaders in a 2019 trial triggered protests in Catalonia.
2019–2020 Hong Kong protests

2020s

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See also

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Notes

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
A list of revolutions and rebellions catalogs organized, typically violent, efforts to overthrow or fundamentally alter established governments and social orders, marking discontinuities where one political supplants another through or elite-led coups. These events, distinguished from mere resistance by their aim for wholesale rejection of authority, have recurred across from ancient revolts to contemporary insurgencies, driven by triggers such as elite fractures, perceived tyrannies, and ideological contests rather than isolated economic woes. While some revolutions have yielded expanded liberties and institutional reforms, many have devolved into cycles of counterrevolution or intensified , underscoring the causal complexities where initial grievances yield unpredictable structural shifts. Such lists highlight empirical patterns in human political evolution, revealing that successful overthrows often hinge on defections and international contexts over popular fervor alone, with post-revolutionary trajectories frequently betraying ideals.

Conceptual Foundations

Defining Revolutions

A constitutes a profound, rapid alteration in the political order of a , achieved principally through coercive means such as organized or mass upheaval, resulting in the displacement of the incumbent and the establishment of a system of governance or . This process inherently involves the breakdown of existing structures and their supersession by challengers who seize control of state apparatuses, often extending beyond mere leadership changes to encompass systemic reconfiguration of power relations. Empirical analyses underscore that successful s typically require both and widespread popular contention, distinguishing them from incremental reforms or isolated insurrections. Prominent political scientists delineate revolutions through structural and causal lenses. , in her comparative study of historical cases, characterizes social revolutions as "rapid, basic transformations of a society's state and class structures, accompanied and in part carried through by class-based revolts from below," emphasizing state collapse amid international pressures and domestic agrarian upheavals as precipitating factors, as observed in the of 1789, of 1917, and Chinese Revolution of 1911–1949. frames revolutions within , defining a revolutionary situation as one marked by multiple overlapping claims to —where challengers vie with incumbents for control over governmental resources and coercion—necessitating sustained and , evidenced in events like the (1642–1651). integrates these elements, positing revolutions as episodes combining forcible regime overthrow, broad societal mobilization, ideological pursuit of , and the erection of an alternative polity, which differentiates them from coups d'état (limited to elite maneuvers without mass engagement) or (protracted conflicts without decisive structural renewal). From a causal realist perspective, revolutions arise not merely from ideational grievances but from material fissures in , such as fiscal , military overextension, or demographic strains that erode regime resilience, enabling coordinated opposition to exploit vulnerabilities. Data from cross-national datasets, including over 100 documented cases since , reveal that revolutions succeed in approximately 25–30% of attempts, correlating with factors like urban crowding and elite fragmentation rather than economic equality alone. This definition privileges verifiable outcomes—regime replacement via contention—over subjective narratives of , acknowledging that many self-proclaimed revolutions devolve into cycles of repression without net , as critiqued in analyses of post-1917 Bolshevik consolidation.

Defining Rebellions

A rebellion constitutes an organized act of violent resistance against constituted , wherein participants employ to challenge, displace, or compel concessions from the ruling power, often rooted in grievances over taxation, land rights, , or political exclusion. Unlike sporadic riots, rebellions feature coordinated leadership, mobilization of followers beyond immediate localities, and explicit political objectives, such as replacement or reversal, as evidenced in historical analyses of events like the 1381 in , where insurgents targeted royal officials and demanded abolition of . Empirical patterns indicate that rebellions frequently arise from material deprivations or perceived threats to status, with success hinging on defection of enforcers rather than mass participation alone. Key criteria for classifying an event as a rebellion include the deliberate use of arms to publicize demands and coerce compliance, sustained duration exceeding isolated clashes (often weeks to months), and opposition to a recognized rather than mere or factional strife. For instance, the of 1794 in the United States involved armed farmers protesting excise taxes, forming militias, and marching on , yet it dissolved upon federal mobilization without achieving its aims, illustrating how rebellions test but rarely shatter entrenched power structures. Scholarly distinctions emphasize that while rebellions threaten overthrow through , they lack the ideological or institutional redesign typical of revolutions, often reverting to pre-existing social orders upon suppression. In causal terms, rebellions emerge when asymmetric information about weakness incentivizes risk-tolerant actors to initiate conflict, but their failure rate—estimated at over 90% in pre-modern cases—stems from superior state coercion and elite cohesion, underscoring that violence alone seldom suffices without broader societal fractures. This differentiates them from revolutions, where cascading defections and alternative models propagate systemic rupture, as opposed to rebellions' more contained, restorative dynamics aimed at rectification rather than reinvention. Historical records, such as those of the (1524–1525), reveal rebellions' tendency toward fragmentation, with over 300,000 deaths but no enduring political transformation, reinforcing their role as pressure valves rather than foundational upheavals.

Criteria for Inclusion and Distinctions

Events qualify for inclusion in this catalog if they constitute organized, actions by non-state actors or factions aimed at challenging or overthrowing established political authority, typically through violent or coercive means, with documented historical evidence of intent to effect systemic change in , social order, or power distribution. Such events must demonstrate scale beyond isolated incidents, involving mobilization of armed groups, civilian masses, or military units, as evidenced by contemporary accounts or archaeological records where applicable. Spontaneous riots, individual assassinations, or legal reforms without coercive resistance are excluded, as they lack the structured opposition characteristic of s or rebellions. Coups d'état led primarily by elite insiders may be omitted unless accompanied by broader popular participation, prioritizing mass-based causal dynamics over narrow conspiracies. Verification relies on primary sources such as official chronicles, inscriptions, or eyewitness reports, cross-referenced against multiple independent accounts to mitigate biases in state-sponsored narratives, which often understate insurgent successes or exaggerate loyalties. Inclusion requires causal linkage to grievances like taxation, dynastic overreach, or ideological shifts, substantiated by or decree analyses, rather than retrospective ideological labeling. Events with ambiguous outcomes or minimal territorial control are included as rebellions if they meet organizational thresholds, ensuring the catalog captures failed attempts that illuminate patterns of resistance without conflating them with transformative upheavals. Distinctions between revolutions and rebellions hinge on outcomes and depth of transformation: revolutions denote successful seizures of central power leading to enduring institutional reconfiguration, such as the replacement of monarchies with republics or shifts in property relations, verified by post-event stability of new regimes lasting at least a generation. Rebellions, conversely, encompass unsuccessful or partially realized uprisings that fail to consolidate control over core territories or propagate systemic alterations, often culminating in restoration of prior or fragmentation without novel models. This binary, while not absolute—some revolutions incorporate prior rebellions as precursors—avoids semantic inflation by reserving "" for empirically rare instances of causal rupture, where force yields not mere regime turnover but reconfiguration of state-society relations, as opposed to rebellions' frequent reversion to status quo equilibria. Hybrid cases, like prolonged civil wars resolving into revolutionary orders, are classified by terminal control and ideological institutionalization.

Analytical Perspectives

Causal Mechanisms and Triggers

Structural weaknesses in , such as fiscal insolvency and administrative breakdown, frequently underpin revolutions by eroding the government's ability to maintain control amid internal dissent and external threats. Theda Skocpol's comparative analysis of the French, Russian, and Chinese revolutions identifies international pressures— including geopolitical competition and military overextension—as key mechanisms that strain absolutist states, leading to loss of loyalty from the military and countryside elites, thereby creating opportunities for . This state-centered approach contrasts with class-based explanations, emphasizing how structural vulnerabilities, rather than purely ideological or economic grievances, precipitate systemic upheaval when regimes fail to adapt to competitive international environments. Demographic and economic pressures amplify these state frailties, as outpaces resources, fostering , strains, and intensified intra-elite competition for positions and . Jack Goldstone's demographic-structural theory posits that such dynamics generate fiscal crises and social immobility, correlating with major revolts in , including the and rebellions, where booms from the onward eroded state solvency by the mid-17th. Empirical patterns show revolutions peaking during periods of rapid demographic expansion followed by stagnation, as seen in 18th-century , where pressures contributed to shortages and revolts amid rising state debts from wars. Social-psychological mechanisms, particularly , explain individual incentives for participation, where perceived gaps between expected and actual well-being—often after periods of improvement—fuel collective violence. Ted Gurr's model, derived from cross-national data on civil strife from 1961–1965, argues that this frustration intensifies under conditions of blocked opportunities, as in post-colonial African rebellions or urban riots, driving recruitment into oppositional networks when institutional channels for redress collapse. Complementing this, James Davies' J-curve hypothesis highlights economic trajectories: prolonged rising prosperity followed by abrupt reversals, such as the 1780s agricultural failures in or the 1917 Russian war-induced scarcities, create acute disequilibria that mobilize diverse groups against entrenched regimes. Rebellions, often more localized than revolutions, share mechanisms like resource scarcity and grievance amplification but typically lack the scale for systemic transformation, arising from immediate fiscal impositions or ecological shocks in peripheral regions. Historical data indicate that rebellions surge during subsistence crises, with 17th-century European peasant uprisings—such as the of 1524–1525—triggered by enclosure policies and tithes amid harvest failures, reflecting localized without broader . Regime type influences vulnerability: ineffective autocracies with weak coercive apparatuses experience higher rebellion rates, as quantitative studies of 19th– cases show correlations between state ineffectiveness and onset probabilities exceeding 20% under combined economic downturns and elite divisions. Precipitating triggers exploit these mechanisms by providing focal points for coordination, such as leadership assassinations, military defeats, or exogenous shocks like pandemics that reveal regime incompetence. For instance, the 1917 February Revolution in Russia was ignited by food riots amid World War I losses, amplifying pre-existing structural strains from demographic urbanization and fiscal exhaustion. In rebellions, triggers often involve direct extractive policies, as in the 1381 English Peasants' Revolt sparked by poll taxes during labor shortages post-Black Death, where poll tax hikes from 1377–1381 mobilized rural discontent into widespread insurgency. These events lower participation thresholds by signaling regime vulnerability, enabling cascades of defection per threshold models of collective action. Overall, successful escalations require conjunctural alignment of mechanisms, where no single factor suffices absent others, as evidenced by failed 20th-century attempts lacking elite splits or military neutrality.

Empirical Patterns of Success and Failure

Empirical analyses of revolutions and rebellions reveal that success—defined as achieving the primary political objectives, such as or territorial control—is rare, with violent campaigns succeeding in approximately 26% of cases from 1900 to 2006, compared to 53% for nonviolent campaigns over the same period. This disparity holds across diverse contexts, including anti-colonial struggles and transitions from , where nonviolent methods attract broader participation, often exceeding 3.5% of the population, fostering defections among and reducing overall fatalities by a factor of 22:1 relative to armed efforts. Violent rebellions, by contrast, frequently consolidate regime loyalty and invite harsher repression, limiting recruitment and prolonging conflicts without proportional gains in leverage.
Campaign TypeSuccess RateTime PeriodKey Dataset
Nonviolent Civil Resistance53%1900–2006Nonviolent and Violent Campaigns (NAVCO) 1.0
Violent Armed Rebellion26%1900–2006Nonviolent and Violent Campaigns (NAVCO) 1.0
Urban Civic Revolutions>40% (post-1960s peak)1980s–2010sVarieties of Revolution typology
Success patterns also correlate with structural factors like state fiscal capacity and cohesion; rebellions in weaker states with divided elites, such as those facing economic downturns, exhibit higher viability, as seen in relative frequencies of attempts rising in low-income settings with stagnant growth. models estimate baseline at 1 in 5 to 1 in 7 for mass-led violent revolts, underscoring the role of credible commitment problems among rebels and rulers, where fragmented insurgencies fail due to free-riding and detection risks. External interventions can tip balances—third-party support raises rebellion costs for incumbents but often prolongs stalemates unless paired with internal momentum, as in cases where foreign bolsters rebel without addressing vacuums. Failure dominates when campaigns rely on without adaptive strategies; armed groups with superior armament still underperform if lacking popular legitimacy, as empirical tests challenge assumptions that raw military balance or resolve alone predict outcomes. Repression intensity inversely predicts success, with high- environments eroding rebel cohesion, while defections—driven by moral qualms or incentives—emerge as pivotal in both violent and nonviolent paths, occurring in over 50% of victorious nonviolent cases. Recent trends show rising success for modular, urban civic actions post-1980s, attributed to diffusion via media and networks, though post-victory fragility persists, with many yielding unstable transitions rather than consolidated democracies. These patterns derive from datasets like NAVCO and cross-national conflict records, though selection biases in reporting—favoring high-profile events—may inflate perceived violent successes in historical narratives.

Long-Term Impacts and Causal Realities

Empirical analyses of historical revolutions reveal that long-term political outcomes frequently deviate from democratic ideals, with many resulting in the consolidation of new authoritarian structures rather than inclusive governance. Violent revolutions, which constitute the majority in historical records, exhibit a low propensity for yielding stable democracies, often reverting to elite capture or military rule due to the fragmentation of power post-upheaval. Nonviolent campaigns show higher success rates in transitioning to democracy, yet even these face challenges from entrenched interests, as evidenced by comparative studies of regime changes since the 20th century. Causal mechanisms underscore that revolutions disrupt existing constraints on power without inherently creating new ones, allowing ambitious actors to monopolize authority, as seen in cases like the French Revolution's progression to Napoleonic dictatorship. Economically, revolutions typically impose structural breaks that impede sustained development, with post-revolutionary regimes underperforming in growth, inequality reduction, and quality-of-life metrics. Cross-national evaluations of revolutions after 1600 indicate unconvincing economic trajectories, marked by inefficiencies, persistent or exacerbated inequality, and limited welfare gains despite ideological promises of equity. For instance, the 1979 engendered a 46-54% decline in per capita GDP relative to counterfactual paths, alongside enduring institutional degradation in areas like , persisting through 2021. The of 1789 offers a mixed case: regional land redistributions initially boosted by up to 25% in affected areas, yet high-emigration zones experienced a 12.7% GDP drop by 1860, with recovery tied to later reforms rather than revolutionary impetus. Causal realities highlight that revolutionary violence erodes physical and , fostering uncertainty that deters investment and innovation, while new elites prioritize over broad prosperity. Success in fostering long-run growth hinges on establishing inclusive institutions that secure property rights and constrain arbitrary power, a rare outcome contingent on pre-revolutionary power distributions and broad coalitions, as in England's of 1688, which enabled constitutional limits and preceded industrialization. In contrast, extractive paths dominate when revolutions empower narrow groups, as in absolutist consolidations following many European upheavals or 20th-century socialist experiments, where centralized control stifled markets and led to stagnation or collapse. These patterns affirm that revolutions act as critical junctures amplifying underlying institutional weaknesses rather than reliably engineering progress, with empirical divergences explained by the interplay of power mobilization and commitment problems in post-conflict bargaining.

Chronological Catalog

Before Common Era (BCE)

The earliest recorded instance of organized resistance against entrenched elite corruption occurred in the Sumerian of around 2350 BCE, when seized power from the corrupt ruler Lugalanda and implemented sweeping reforms to alleviate burdens on the populace, including debt cancellation and protection of . These measures targeted abuses by officials and , representing a proto-revolutionary push for justice, though 's regime lasted only briefly before conquest by of . In ancient , the Zhou forces under King Wu overthrew the at the circa 1046 BCE, defeating an army of 170,000 with 45,000 troops and 300 chariots, justified by claims of the Shang king's tyranny and the introduction of the doctrine to legitimize dynastic change. This conquest marked a fundamental shift in governance ideology, portraying the uprising as a moral against despotic rule rather than mere expansion. Cyrus II of Persia rebelled against his overlord in 553 BCE, mobilizing Persian forces to capture by 550 BCE and establishing the through a combination of military success and integration of Median nobility. Ancient accounts, including those preserved in Babylonian chronicles, depict the revolt as stemming from familial tensions and Persian discontent with Median dominance, leading to Cyrus's consolidation of power over former Median territories. The from 499 to 493 BCE saw Greek city-states in Asia Minor, led by of , rise against Persian satrapal control, burning and seeking aid from and , though ultimately suppressed at the due to naval disunity. This uprising exposed Persian administrative vulnerabilities and precipitated the , driven by grievances over tribute and tyrannical proxies. In , the revolution of 508 BCE involved the populace expelling the tyrant with Spartan assistance, enabling to enact constitutional reforms that reorganized the citizen body into demes and tribes, diluting aristocratic clan power and laying foundations for (equality under law). These changes shifted authority toward broader participation, marking a pivotal transition from oligarchic rule to proto-democratic institutions amid factional strife. The Great Revolt of the Egyptians (205–186 BCE) erupted against Ptolemaic rule following Ptolemy IV's death, with native priests and elites in installing pharaohs like Hugronaphor, who controlled Thebes and surrounding regions amid widespread anti-Hellenistic sentiment fueled by heavy taxation and cultural impositions. The uprising fragmented Ptolemaic authority, requiring military reconquest and concessions like the Rosetta Decree to restore temple privileges. The (167–160 BCE) began when and his family resisted Seleucid king Antiochus IV's suppression of Jewish practices, including temple desecration, through that recaptured in 164 BCE and rededicated the Second Temple. Rooted in religious zeal against , the established Hasmonean independence, though internal divisions persisted post-victory. The Third Servile War (73–71 BCE), led by the Thracian gladiator , involved up to 120,000 escaped slaves defeating multiple Roman legions initially, ravaging southern Italy before suppression by , with 6,000 crucifixes along the . This rebellion highlighted vulnerabilities in Rome's slave-based economy and military praetorian responses to internal threats.

1–999 CE

The period from 1 to 999 CE saw rebellions and civil upheavals primarily in the Roman and Byzantine Empires, Han and Tang , and the early Islamic caliphates, often sparked by heavy taxation, ethnic grievances, religious dissent, or military factionalism, which weakened central authorities and facilitated dynastic shifts.
  • Batavian Revolt (69–70 CE): Germanic Batavians under Julius Civilis rebelled against Roman over-recruitment and abuse of auxiliary troops in the , allying briefly with Batavian auxiliaries and ; initial victories included destroying two legions, but Roman forces under recaptured key forts, ending the revolt with negotiated autonomy for the Batavians.
  • Great Jewish Revolt (66–73 CE): rose against Roman procurators' corruption, religious desecration, and taxation, expelling Roman garrisons from and establishing a ; Roman legions under and reconquered over four years, culminating in the siege of in 70 CE, where over 1 million perished per contemporary estimates, and the Second Temple was razed.
  • Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–136 CE): Led by , whom proclaimed the , Jews in rebelled against Emperor Hadrian's plan to build on Jerusalem's ruins and ban circumcision, establishing an independent state with coinage and administration for three years; Roman forces under deployed 12 legions, killing 580,000 rebels and enslaving survivors, depopulating and renaming it .
  • Yellow Turban Rebellion (184–205 CE): Daoist-inspired peasants under revolted against Eastern Han corruption, famine, and dominance, forming militias with yellow headscarves symbolizing earth overcoming Han's fire element; initial uprisings in multiple commanderies mobilized hundreds of thousands, but imperial generals like suppressed core forces by 185 CE, though remnants persisted, accelerating Han fragmentation into states.
  • Nika Riots (532 CE): Factions of chariot-racing Blues and Greens in united against Emperor Justinian I's tax hikes and executions of political prisoners, burning half the city and proclaiming Hypatius emperor; Justinian's wife Theodora urged retention of power, enabling to slaughter 30,000 rioters in the , solidifying Justinian's rule but highlighting urban volatility.
  • Ridda Wars (632–633 CE): Following Muhammad's death, Arabian tribes renounced central payments and , with figures like Tulayha and declaring prophethood; Caliph dispatched armies under , defeating rebels at battles like Yamama (where 20,000 apostates died), restoring authority over Arabia and enabling further conquests.
  • Abbasid Revolution (747–750 CE): Descendants of Muhammad's uncle Abbas, backed by Persian mawali discontented with Umayyad Arab favoritism and repression, launched uprisings from Khurasan under ; decisive victory at the in 750 CE killed Caliph , establishing Abbasid rule in and shifting power eastward, though massacring Umayyads.
  • An Lushan Rebellion (755–763 CE): Tang general , of Sogdian-Turkic origin, mutinied against Emperor Xuanzong's favoritism toward and eunuchs, proclaiming the Yan dynasty and capturing both Tang capitals, Changan and ; internal betrayals and Tang alliances with Uighurs enabled reconquest by 763 CE, but at a cost of 13–36 million deaths from war, famine, and disease, irrevocably weakening Tang central control.

1000–1499

The rebellions and revolutions between 1000 and 1499 often arose from economic distress, heavy taxation, labor shortages following the (1347–1351), and resentment against foreign or feudal rulers. In , these manifested as urban and rural uprisings challenging noble privileges and royal policies, typically suppressed with significant violence. In , they included successful overthrows of non-native dynasties, driven by ethnic tensions and millenarian ideologies. Few achieved lasting , highlighting the resilience of feudal and imperial systems against popular discontent. Kenmu Restoration (1333–1336)
orchestrated a against the , allying with discontented samurai to capture and restore direct imperial rule, ending over a century of shogunal dominance. Policies favored court nobles over warriors, alienating key supporters like , who defected and established the rival Muromachi shogunate in 1336, limiting the restoration to three years.
Red Turban Rebellion (1351–1368)
This widespread Han Chinese uprising against the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty began in the Huai River basin, fueled by floods, famine, the Black Death, and anti-Mongol sentiment; rebels adopted red turbans as a symbol and drew on White Lotus Society eschatology promising a native savior. Factional leader Zhu Yuanzhang consolidated power, capturing Dadu (Beijing) in 1368 and proclaiming the Ming dynasty, which expelled Yuan remnants to the north.
Jacquerie (1358)
Northern French peasants, derogatorily called Jacques Bonhommes, revolted against seigneurial abuses amid the , English chevauchées, and royal taxes; starting near Compiègne on May 28, they destroyed over 100 castles and killed nobles before noble forces under crushed them at Mello on June 10, executing leaders like Guillaume Cale and massacring thousands. The revolt reflected post-plague labor leverage but reinforced feudal hierarchies.
Ciompi Revolt (1378–1382)
In , wool-carders (ciompi) and other unguilded laborers rebelled against guild oligarchies and bankers' dominance, exacerbated by war debts from the and economic downturns; seizing power in July 1378, they established three new guilds and a populist government under Michele di Lando, but elite factions ousted them by August 1382, executing leaders and restoring patrician control.
English Peasants' Revolt (1381)
Triggered by the third poll tax of 1377–1381, enforcement failures, and lingering grievances from the Statute of Labourers (1351) capping wages post-Black Death, rebels under Wat Tyler and John Ball marched on London from Kent and Essex, executing Archbishop Sudbury and Treasurer Hales before Richard II negotiated at Mile End and Smithfield; royal forces then suppressed the uprising, killing Tyler and executing over 1,500.
Hussite Wars (1419–1434)
Bohemian followers of executed reformer rebelled against Sigismund's succession and Catholic orthodoxy after the July 30, 1419 defenestration of officials; radical and moderate Utraquists repelled five using wagon forts and firearms, achieving the Compactata of (1436) granting communion in both kinds and secular land control, though internal divisions led to Taborite defeat in 1434.

1500–1699

The 16th and 17th centuries featured widespread rebellions across , , and the , often triggered by religious schisms, fiscal burdens, and resistance to centralized authority or colonial rule. These uprisings reflected tensions between feudal structures and emerging absolutism, with peasants, nobles, and indigenous groups challenging entrenched powers amid the and global expansion. While some sought reform within existing systems, others aimed at , though most were suppressed with significant bloodshed, highlighting patterns of elite mobilization against popular discontent. German Peasants' War (1524–1525)
This was the largest peasant uprising in prior to the , involving up to 300,000 participants across southwestern , , and . Sparked by economic hardships, of , and inspired by Martin Luther's critiques of ecclesiastical authority, rebels issued the demanding abolition of , fair tithes, and access to forests and fisheries. Nobles and princes, supported by Luther's condemnation of the revolt as devilish, crushed it at battles like Frankenhausen in May 1525, resulting in 100,000 deaths and reinforced feudal hierarchies.
Dutch Revolt (1568–1648)
Also known as the , this conflict began as a Protestant-led resistance against Spanish Habsburg rule under Philip II, who imposed heavy taxes and enforced Catholic orthodoxy via the . Led by William of Orange, rebels in the northern declared independence in 1581, capturing key cities like after the 1574 siege. The war intertwined with the broader struggle for and commercial autonomy, culminating in the 1648 , which recognized the Dutch Republic's sovereignty and expelled Spanish forces after decades of and naval engagements.
Li Zicheng's Rebellion (1630–1644)
Amid famines, corruption, and Manchu threats, , a former postal worker turned bandit leader, mobilized peasant armies in , proclaiming himself the "Dashing King" in 1644. His forces, numbering over 1 million at peak, captured in April 1644, leading to Emperor Chongzhen's suicide and the dynasty's collapse after 276 years. Internal disunity and Qing intervention routed Li's regime within months, but the uprising accelerated the transition to Qing rule by exposing Ming military weaknesses.
English Civil Wars (1642–1651)
Rooted in disputes over , taxation without parliamentary consent, and religious policies under Charles I, Parliamentarian forces rebelled against perceived absolutism, allying with Scottish . Key victories like in 1645, led by Oliver Cromwell's , executed the king in 1649 and established the republic. The wars caused 200,000 deaths in alone, reshaping governance toward parliamentary supremacy, though Restoration in 1660 reversed some gains.
Pueblo Revolt (1680)
Pueblo peoples in present-day , facing Spanish labor, forced conversions, and cultural suppression since 1598, coordinated under leaders like to expel colonists. On August 10, 1680, warriors killed 400 Spaniards, destroyed missions, and besieged Santa Fe, forcing Governor Antonio de Otermín's retreat southward. The uprising held Spanish authority at bay for 12 years, restoring indigenous practices until Diego de Vargas's reconquest in 1692, marking a rare successful indigenous resistance to colonial domination.
Glorious Revolution (1688–1689)
Protestant nobles invited William of Orange to invade amid James II's Catholic favoritism and birth of a Catholic heir, prompting James's flight to France. With minimal resistance, William and Mary accepted the throne under the Bill of Rights, limiting monarchical powers and affirming parliamentary consent for taxation and armies. This bloodless shift entrenched , influencing later limits on absolutism without widespread popular violence.

1700–1799

The marked a surge in rebellions against monarchical and colonial authorities, often fueled by fiscal burdens, , , and demands for representation or . These events, while varying in scale and ideology, frequently arose from structural inequalities and weak state responses to grievances, leading to both short-term violence and long-term political transformations in some cases. Empirical records indicate that successful outcomes correlated with external alliances or military disarray in ruling powers, whereas failures stemmed from superior state coercion and internal divisions among rebels. Key uprisings included peasant revolts in , colonial independence struggles in , indigenous resistance in , urban riots in Britain, and revolutionary cascades in and its colonies. These were not isolated but interconnected through Enlightenment ideas and global trade disruptions, though causal chains emphasized local triggers like tax hikes and legal abuses over abstract ideologies.
Year(s)EventLocationKey Facts and Outcome
1739Stono RebellionSouth Carolina, British North AmericaEnslaved Africans, numbering around 20-100, rose against plantation owners on September 9, killing about 20 whites before being suppressed by militia; it prompted stricter slave codes but highlighted vulnerabilities in the plantation system.
1773–1775Pugachev's RebellionRussian Empire (Urals and Volga regions)Led by Cossack Emelyan Pugachev, who falsely claimed to be the deposed Tsar Peter III, the uprising involved up to 1 million peasants, Cossacks, and Bashkirs protesting serfdom and noble privileges; rebels besieged Orenburg for six months but were defeated by imperial forces, with Pugachev executed in Moscow in 1775, resulting in over 20,000 rebel deaths and reinforced autocratic controls.
1775–1783American RevolutionThirteen Colonies, North AmericaColonial militias, protesting taxation without representation and British military occupation, fought imperial forces starting with battles at Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775); alliances with France proved decisive, culminating in British surrender at Yorktown (1781) and the Treaty of Paris (1783), establishing U.S. independence with approximately 25,000 American deaths.
1780Gordon RiotsLondon, Great BritainAnti-Catholic protests organized by Lord George Gordon against the 1778 Papists Act escalated into six days of arson and looting from June 2, destroying over 100 buildings including Newgate Prison; martial law quelled the violence, with about 850 arrests, 25 executions, and property damage estimated at £100,000-£180,000, underscoring religious tensions amid wartime strains.
1780–1783Rebellion of Túpac Amaru IIViceroyalty of Peru (Andes region)Indigenous cacique José Gabriel Condorcanqui (Túpac Amaru II) initiated the revolt on November 4, 1780, by executing a corrupt Spanish official, mobilizing tens of thousands of Quechua and Aymara against forced labor (mit'a) and tribute; the uprising spread to modern Bolivia and Argentina but collapsed due to Spanish reinforcements, ending with Túpac Amaru's brutal execution in Cusco in 1781 and mass reprisals killing up to 100,000.
1789–1799French RevolutionFrance and coloniesTriggered by fiscal crisis and Estates-General convocation (May 1789), events escalated with the storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789), abolition of feudalism, and monarchy's fall (1792); the Reign of Terror (1793–1794) executed 16,000-40,000 via guillotine amid civil war, concluding with Napoleon's 18 Brumaire coup (1799), causing 200,000-300,000 deaths and reshaping European governance through war exports.
1791–1804 (initiated 1791)Haitian RevolutionSaint-Domingue (modern Haiti)Slave revolt erupted August 22, 1791, led by figures like Dutty Boukman, amid French revolutionary turmoil; involving 100,000+ enslaved Africans against 30,000 whites and free people of color, it destroyed plantations and ended with independence in 1804 under Jean-Jacques Dessalines, at a cost of 100,000+ black and 24,000 white deaths, marking the only successful slave-led revolution.
These events demonstrate patterns where rebellions succeeded when aligned with broader geopolitical shifts (e.g., American aid from ) but failed against unified state repression, with lasting causal effects like the spread of and abolitionist pressures.

1800–1849

The era from 1800 to 1849 featured the conclusion of the , extensive independence struggles across against Spanish colonial rule, and a series of European uprisings driven by , , and opposition to absolutism. These events dismantled colonial empires and challenged monarchical systems, often resulting in new nation-states or temporary constitutional reforms, though many failed to achieve lasting democratic change due to forces and internal divisions. Empirical patterns show success more frequent in peripheral colonial regions with geographic advantages for , while European revolts frequently succumbed to military suppression by entrenched powers.
Year(s)EventLocationKey Details and Outcome
1804Haitian Revolution (conclusion)Haiti (formerly Saint-Domingue)Slave-led uprising against French colonial rule, initiated in 1791 under Toussaint Louverture, ended with declaration of independence on January 1, 1804, under Jean-Jacques Dessalines; resulted in the world's first independent nation governed by former slaves, with over 100,000 deaths from combat and disease.
1808–1826Latin American Wars of IndependenceSpanish colonies in South and Central America, MexicoSeries of revolts sparked by Napoleon's invasion of Spain in 1808, weakening colonial legitimacy; key leaders included Simón Bolívar (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) and José de San Martín (Argentina, Chile, Peru); battles like Boyacá (1819) and Ayacucho (1824) secured victories; by 1825, most regions achieved independence, forming republics though often unstable due to caudillo rule and economic disruption.
1821–1830Greek War of IndependenceGreece (Ottoman Empire)Nationalist revolt against Ottoman control, beginning with uprising in March 1821; involved philhellene volunteers and European intervention (e.g., British, French, Russian navies at Navarino in 1827); resulted in independence recognized by Treaty of Constantinople (1832), establishing Kingdom of Greece, with 100,000+ casualties.
1825Decembrist RevoltRussiaCoup attempt by liberal army officers on December 14, 1825, against Nicholas I's accession, demanding constitutional limits on autocracy; suppressed within days, with 5 leaders executed and over 100 exiled to Siberia; highlighted elite discontent but reinforced tsarist absolutism.
1830July RevolutionFranceOverthrow of Charles X after July Ordinances restricting press and elections; led to constitutional monarchy under Louis Philippe; inspired liberal reforms but limited suffrage to wealthy males.
1830–1831Belgian RevolutionBelgium (United Kingdom of the Netherlands)Separatist uprising against Dutch rule starting August 1830, fueled by cultural and economic grievances; resulted in independence by 1831 via London Conference, establishing neutral Kingdom of Belgium with constitutional monarchy.
1830–1831November UprisingPoland (Russian partition)Nationalist rebellion against Russian domination, beginning November 29, 1830; Polish forces initially captured Warsaw but were defeated by Russian armies; led to repression, loss of autonomy, and exile of 10,000+ insurgents.
1835–1836Texas RevolutionTexas (Mexico)Anglo settlers' revolt against Mexican centralism, including Siege of the Alamo (March 1836, 200 Texian deaths) and San Jacinto victory (April 1836); established Republic of Texas, annexed by U.S. in 1845.
1848–1849Revolutions of 1848 (Springtime of Nations)Multiple European states (France, German states, Italy, Austria, Hungary)Wave of uprisings starting in Sicily (January 1848), demanding liberal constitutions, unification, and end to absolutism; French February Revolution ousted Louis Philippe for Second Republic; German Frankfurt Assembly failed; Hungarian Revolution suppressed by Russian intervention (20,000+ deaths); most crushed by autumn 1849, but sowed seeds for later national unifications.

1850–1899

The period from 1850 to 1899 saw numerous uprisings driven by anti-colonial sentiments, ethnic nationalism, religious fervor, and resistance to centralizing reforms, often resulting in heavy suppression by imperial powers and contributing to shifts in governance structures. Taiping Rebellion (1850–1864): This massive civil conflict in southern was led by , who proclaimed himself the younger brother of Christ and sought to establish a theocratic based on a heterodox Christian blended with Chinese . Triggered by economic distress, corruption in the , and foreign incursions following the , the rebels captured in 1853 and controlled vast territories, implementing radical land reforms and gender equality policies. Qing forces, aided by Western mercenaries like Charles Gordon's Ever-Victorious Army, recaptured Nanjing in 1864, leading to Hong's suicide and the rebellion's collapse; estimates place the death toll at 20 to 30 million from combat, famine, and disease. Indian Rebellion of 1857 (1857–1858): Also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, this uprising began on May 10, 1857, when Bengal sepoys in revolted against the British East India Company over greased cartridges rumored to be coated in animal fat offensive to Hindu and Muslim soldiers, amid broader grievances including annexation policies and cultural insensitivities. The revolt spread to , where rebels proclaimed the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II as leader, and involved princely states and civilian participation across northern and , with atrocities committed by both sides including massacres at Cawnpore. British reinforcements suppressed the rebellion by mid-1858, executing leaders and dissolving the Company, transferring control to the British Crown; casualties included around 6,000 British and up to 800,000 Indians. January Uprising (1863–1864): In the Russian-controlled Kingdom of , this nationalist insurrection erupted on , 1863, sparked by forced conscription into the Russian army and aimed at restoring Polish independence through coordinated by the underground Polish National Government. Insurgents, numbering up to 20,000 at peak but poorly armed, conducted hit-and-run attacks across , , and , issuing decrees for to gain peasant support. Russian forces, exceeding 90,000 troops, crushed the uprising by mid-1864, executing or exiling leaders like ; it resulted in over 40,000 combat deaths and accelerated policies, including asset confiscations from Polish nobles. Paris Commune (1871): Following 's defeat in the , radical workers and units in proclaimed this short-lived autonomous government on March 18, 1871, rejecting the conservative Third Republic and implementing socialist measures like worker cooperatives and church separations. The Commune controlled for 72 days, enacting decrees on education and labor but facing internal divisions. Versailles government troops under stormed the city in the "Bloody Week" of May 21–28, killing 20,000 to 30,000 communards and executing leaders; it marked a pivotal experiment in proletarian self-rule but solidified conservative dominance in . Satsuma Rebellion (1877): In , disaffected from , led by —a key figure in the —rose against the central government's abolition of stipends and privileges on January 29, 1877, viewing modernization as a betrayal of warrior traditions. The rebels, armed with outdated swords and early firearms, clashed with imperial conscript armies using modern rifles and artillery, culminating in defeat at the on September 24, where died by ; approximately 20,000 rebels and 6,000 government troops perished, confirming the Meiji oligarchy's consolidation and the end of feudal resistance. ʿUrābī Revolt (1879–1882): officers under Aḥmad ʿUrābī challenged Tawfīq's pro-European policies and foreign debt control, launching a nationalist movement in September 1881 that demanded constitutional reforms and reduced Ottoman-Turkish influence. The revolt gained popular support among fellahin and urban classes, forcing a chamber of delegates and military expansion, but British intervention—citing threats to the —led to the in July 1882 and occupation after the Battle of Tel el-Kebir. ʿUrābī was exiled, and Britain established a , entrenching colonial rule despite initial Egyptian gains in . Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901): Originating in November 1899 in province, this anti-foreign, anti-Christian uprising by the Yihetuan (Boxer) secret society targeted missionaries and converts amid economic hardships and imperial concessions, spreading to by 1900 with tacit Qing support under . Boxers besieged foreign legations from June 20 to August 14, 1900, killing thousands including the German minister and 200+ foreigners. An relieved the siege, sacked , and imposed the Boxer Protocol in 1901, fining China 450 million taels and executing leaders; deaths exceeded 100,000, mostly Chinese civilians, accelerating Qing decline.

1900–1909

  • Boxer Rebellion (1900): An anti-foreign and anti-Christian uprising in northern , initiated by the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists (Boxers), targeted missionaries, converts, and foreign legations in , culminating in the siege of foreign compounds from June to August 1900. The rebellion, initially tolerated by the Qing government, prompted an international alliance of eight nations to relieve the siege and occupy , resulting in the Boxer Protocol of 1901, which imposed heavy indemnities on exceeding 450 million taels of silver and stationed foreign troops in the capital.
  • War of the Golden Stool (1900): In the Ashanti Empire (present-day ), British colonial authorities demanded the sacred , symbolizing the soul of the Ashanti nation, prompting to lead a rebellion against British rule starting in March 1900. British forces under Sir Frederick Hodgson captured after fierce resistance, but the stool was never surrendered, leading to the formal of Ashanti as a by July 1901, with an estimated 2,000 Ashanti warriors killed.
  • Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising (1903): Organized by the (IMRO) in Ottoman Macedonia and , this revolt began on August 2, 1903 (St. Elijah's Day, Ilinden), declaring the short-lived , a multi-ethnic entity lasting 10 days before Ottoman suppression involving massacres of over 4,600 civilians, destruction of 12,440 houses, and displacement of 70,000 people. The uprising sought autonomy but failed due to lack of external support, exacerbating ethnic tensions in the .
  • Herero Rebellion (1904–1907): The in (Namibia) revolted against colonial land expropriation and labor exploitation on January 12, 1904, killing over 100 German settlers before General Lothar von Trotha's forces defeated them at Waterberg in August 1904, issuing extermination orders that drove Herero into the Omaheke desert, resulting in 50,000–80,000 deaths from thirst, combat, and concentration camps, reducing the population by 80%.
  • Russian Revolution of 1905: Triggered by Bloody Sunday on January 9, 1905, when troops fired on peaceful petitioners in St. Petersburg, killing over 1,000, this wave of strikes, peasant revolts, and mutinies (including the Battleship Potemkin) across the Russian Empire forced to issue the , granting a parliament and , though partially reversed later; it involved 2 million strikers and highlighted autocratic failures amid defeats.
  • Persian Constitutional Revolution (1905–1909): Sparked by protests against a sugar tariff and bastinado punishment of merchants in December 1905, merchants, clergy, and intellectuals in demanded a , leading to Mozaffar ad-Din Shah's August 1906 decree establishing the parliament and limiting monarchical power. Mohammad Ali Shah's 1908 bombardment of the prompted provincial uprisings, restoring the in July 1909 after his deposition, marking Iran's shift toward amid Russian and British influences.
  • Young Turk Revolution (1908): Officers of the (CUP), disillusioned with Sultan Abdülhamid II's autocracy, mutinied in Macedonia on July 3, 1908, led by Major Ahmed Niyazi, compelling the sultan to restore the 1876 constitution and reconvene parliament by July 23. This ended 30 years of suspension, initiating the Second Constitutional Era, though CUP dominance soon shifted toward authoritarianism, influencing Ottoman entry into .

1910–1919

The decade from 1910 to 1919 witnessed a surge in revolutionary activity, driven by imperial decay, nationalist aspirations, and the disruptions of , which eroded centralized authority across , the , , and the . Empires such as the Ottoman, Qing, Russian, and Austro-Hungarian faced existential challenges from internal dissent, while colonial and semi-colonial regions like and saw uprisings against entrenched dictatorships and monarchies. These events often blended liberal , ethnic , and socialist radicalism, resulting in the collapse of several dynasties but also paving the way for new authoritarian regimes in some cases.
  • Portuguese Revolution of 5 October 1910: Republican forces, including military units and civilian protesters, overthrew the Braganza monarchy after King Manuel II fled amid widespread discontent with monarchical corruption and economic stagnation. The uprising, coordinated by the , led to the proclamation of the on October 5, with as provisional president; religious orders were expelled and their properties seized shortly thereafter. This bloodless coup in the capital, supported by naval bombardments, marked 's transition from to , though it ushered in a period of political instability with over 40 governments in the next 16 years.
  • Mexican Revolution (1910–1920): Sparked on November 20, 1910, by Francisco Madero's call to arms against the long-ruling dictator , the revolution involved a coalition of landowners, peasants, and intellectuals challenging Díaz's authoritarian rule and foreign-influenced economic policies. Díaz resigned and fled in May 1911 after defeats like the Battle of , but factional strife persisted, with figures like and launching agrarian revolts against Madero's successor governments; the conflict caused an estimated 1–2 million deaths through warfare, , and disease before stabilizing under the 1917 Constitution.
  • Albanian Revolts (1910–1912): A series of uprisings against Ottoman centralization policies under began in 1910, led by chieftains like in and , protesting taxes, , and ; these evolved into the broader 1912 revolt starting in , involving Muslim and Christian who captured key towns like and . The Ottoman Sultan conceded Albanian autonomy demands on September 4, 1912, including administrative reforms and linguistic rights, amid the ' onset, which accelerated Albanian independence declarations in November 1912.
  • Xinhai Revolution (1911): On October 10, 1911, revolutionaries in Wuchang, Province, mutinied against the , triggering a nationwide uprising fueled by anti-Manchu sentiment, 's republican ideology, and resentment over foreign concessions and dynastic weakness. The revolt spread rapidly, forcing Emperor Puyi's abdication on February 12, 1912, and the establishment of the under provisional president , who yielded to ; it ended over two millennia of imperial rule but fragmented into warlordism due to power struggles.
  • Easter Rising (1916): On April 24, 1916 (Easter Monday), Irish republican militants from the and , led by figures like and , seized key sites including the General Post Office, proclaiming an Irish Republic against British rule amid grievances. British forces suppressed the six-day insurrection by April 29, with over 450 deaths (mostly civilians) and widespread destruction in ; while militarily a failure, the execution of 15 leaders galvanized , shifting opinion toward independence.
  • Arab Revolt (1916–1918): Launched on June 5, 1916, by Sharif Hussein bin Ali of Mecca, with British backing via the McMahon-Hussein Correspondence promising Arab independence, the revolt targeted Ottoman control in the Hejaz region, capturing Mecca, Taif, and Jeddah through guerrilla tactics aided by T.E. Lawrence. Hussein's sons, Faisal and Abdullah, commanded forces that disrupted Ottoman supply lines, contributing to Allied advances in Palestine and Syria, though post-war Sykes-Picot divisions limited Arab gains; Ottoman forces held Medina until 1919.
  • Russian Revolutions (1917): The (March 8–16, ) erupted in Petrograd with strikes and mutinies against Tsar Nicholas II's autocracy, exacerbated by food shortages and defeats, leading to the tsar's on March 15 and the formation of a under alongside soviets. The (November 7) saw Bolshevik forces under seize power in Petrograd, overthrowing the and establishing Soviet rule, which suppressed opposition and withdrew from the war via the in 1918, initiating .
  • German Revolution (1918–1919): Triggered by a sailors' mutiny in on October 29, 1918, amid collapse and Kaiser Wilhelm II's abdication on November 9, the revolution spread through workers' and soldiers' councils, toppling the and establishing the under . Radical Spartacist uprisings in (January 1919), led by and , were crushed by militias, resulting in thousands of deaths and consolidating social democratic control over communist challenges.
  • Hungarian Soviet Republic (1919): Proclaimed on March 21, 1919, by communist leader after overthrowing the democratic government amid postwar chaos and Romanian border threats, the regime nationalized industries, enforced against "class enemies," and mobilized a . Lasting 133 days until August 1, it collapsed under military defeats by Romanian and Allied forces, leading to 5,000–10,000 executions and Kun's flight; the failure stemmed from economic isolation, internal purges, and lack of Bolshevik support from .

1920–1929

The featured numerous uprisings driven by anti-colonial resistance, opposition to post-World War I treaties, peasant discontent with requisition policies, and internal challenges to nascent revolutionary regimes. These events often involved irregular forces clashing with state or imperial armies, resulting in significant casualties and influencing subsequent governance structures. (1920): In June 1920, tribes and nationalists across launched an armed uprising against the British mandate administration, which had assumed control after the Ottoman collapse, protesting colonial imposition and demanding independence. The revolt spread from to rural areas, involving Sunni and Shia cooperation, but British forces, numbering around 60,000 troops including Indian and Assyrian units, suppressed it by October through aerial bombings and ground offensives, with estimates of 6,000 to 10,000 Iraqi deaths and over 2,000 British casualties. The event prompted Britain to install Faisal I as king in 1921 under a nominal , though effective control remained with colonial authorities. Kapp Putsch (1920): On March 13, 1920, right-wing nationalists led by and , using paramilitaries, attempted a coup in to overthrow the government, motivated by opposition to disarmament clauses requiring the dissolution of these units. The putsch briefly seized the capital but collapsed after four days due to a organized by trade unions and Social Democrats, paralyzing the economy and administration. It highlighted Weimar's fragility, with over 1,000 arrests following, though leaders escaped initially. Tambov Rebellion (1920–1921): Beginning in August 1920 in Russia's province, peasants under Socialist Revolutionary leader Alexander Antonov rebelled against Bolshevik policies, particularly forced grain requisitions that exacerbated famine conditions affecting millions. The uprising, involving up to 50,000 guerrillas using pitchforks and rifles, controlled rural areas and disrupted Soviet supply lines until forces, totaling over 100,000 under , crushed it by mid-1921 through mass executions, concentration camps, and experimental chemical gas attacks on villages. Casualties exceeded 100,000, contributing to the policy shift toward the in 1921. Kronstadt Rebellion (1921): In March 1921, sailors and workers at the naval base near Petrograd mutinied against Bolshevik rule, demanding restoration of Soviet democracy, free elections, and an end to grain seizures amid economic collapse. The rebels, numbering about 15,000, established a provisional council and repelled initial assaults, but after the ice thawed, Trotsky's forces stormed the base on March 18, killing or executing around 2,000 defenders and later suppressing 2,000 more in purges. This event underscored internal Bolshevik vulnerabilities, accelerating Lenin's concessions via the . Rif War (1921–1926): Led by , Berber tribes in Morocco's region rebelled against Spanish colonial expansion starting in July 1921, achieving a major victory at the where 13,000 Spanish troops were killed or captured due to poor leadership and supply. The insurgents proclaimed the , employing guerrilla tactics against over 300,000 combined Spanish-French forces, but French intervention in 1925 and use overwhelmed them by May 1926, with total casualties around 50,000 Rifians and 40,000 Europeans. The defeat prompted Spanish military reforms and Primo de Rivera's dictatorship. Patagonia Rebelde (1920–1922): From November 1920, sheep shearers and rural workers in Argentina's Santa Cruz province, organized by anarchist and socialist unions, struck against exploitative owners for better wages and conditions amid post-World War I inflation. The movement spread across , but President Hipólito Yrigoyen's dispatch of 500 troops under Héctor Varela led to brutal suppression, with summary executions of up to 1,500 strikers by early 1922, fracturing labor unity and enabling conservative backlash. Basmachi Revolt (ongoing into 1920s): In Central Asia's Ferghana Valley and surrounding areas, Muslim Turkic and Kyrgyz guerrillas, loosely united under the Basmachi banner, intensified resistance from 1920 against Soviet land reforms, atheism campaigns, and following the . Numbering up to 20,000 fighters at peaks, they received intermittent aid from White émigrés and until his death in 1922, but offensives, including armored trains and aerial support, reduced strongholds by 1924, though sporadic fighting persisted until 1931 with tens of thousands killed. Escobar Rebellion (1929): In March 1929, General Gonzalo , a disaffected veteran, launched a coup from against interim President during the era, allying with northern dissidents over election disputes and Calles' influence. Government loyalists, retaining two-thirds of the army, defeated the rebels by May after battles like the Siege of Naco, with Escobar fleeing to the U.S.; casualties were under 1,000, solidifying PRI dominance but exposing revolutionary factionalism.

1930–1939

The Brazilian Revolution of 1930 was an armed uprising that overthrew President on October 3, after disputed elections, installing as provisional leader and ending the . The revolt involved military forces from , , and , with clashes lasting until October 26, resulting in Vargas centralizing power amid economic crisis from the . In , the Nghe-Tinh Soviets uprising from late 1930 to early 1931 saw peasants and workers, organized by the , establish rural soviets in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces against French colonial taxes and repression. Strikes escalated to armed resistance, including and land redistribution, but French forces crushed the movement by mid-1931, executing leaders and killing thousands. The Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932 erupted in São Paulo state, Brazil, from July 9 to October 1932, as oligarchs and civilians rebelled against Vargas's provisional government, demanding a new constitution and elections. Paulistas mobilized 100,000 fighters, including volunteers, against federal troops, but after heavy fighting and 934 deaths, São Paulo capitulated, leading Vargas to convene a constituent assembly in 1933. Spain's Revolution of 1934, centered in from October 4 to 19, involved miners' strikes evolving into an armed socialist-anarchist uprising against the center-right government of , fearing fascist gains after right-wing electoral victories. Rebels seized mines, proclaimed soviets, and executed opponents, controlling much of the province until the Foreign Legion and Moorish troops under suppressed the revolt, killing over 1,500 and arresting 30,000. The 1936–1939 Arab Revolt in began in April 1936 with a by protesting British policies favoring Jewish and land sales, escalating to guerrilla attacks on British forces and Jewish settlements. Led initially by local committees and later Haj Amin al-Husseini, the uprising involved 5,000–10,000 fighters, causing 5,000 Arab, 400 Jewish, and 200 British deaths before British military operations and the 1939 quelled it, weakening Arab leadership. In July 1936, a military rebellion in , coordinated by generals and , aimed to overthrow the Second Republic's government amid political violence and reforms perceived as threatening by conservatives. The coup began on July 17 in Spanish Morocco and spread to the mainland on July 18, partially failing but igniting the , with rebels controlling key areas and receiving foreign aid, ultimately prevailing in 1939.

1940–1949

The 1940s featured numerous rebellions and uprisings, primarily as resistance movements against occupying forces during and as post-war bids for national independence or amid shifting global alliances. These events often involved irregular forces challenging established authorities, with outcomes shaped by external military interventions and internal divisions. Key examples include urban insurrections in occupied , anti-colonial struggles in , and civil conflicts in the immediate aftermath of Allied victories.
  • 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising: In German-occupied Poland, Jewish fighters in the Warsaw Ghetto resisted Nazi efforts to deport remaining residents to death camps, using smuggled weapons and improvised explosives in street combat that lasted from April 19 to May 16; the uprising was ultimately crushed, with most participants killed, but it delayed deportations and symbolized defiance.
  • 1944 Warsaw Uprising: The Polish Home Army (Armia Krajowa), numbering around 40,000 fighters, launched a coordinated assault against German occupiers in Warsaw on August 1, aiming to liberate the city ahead of the Soviet advance; the 63-day battle involved intense urban fighting, with insurgents controlling significant areas initially before German reinforcements suppressed the revolt on October 2, resulting in an estimated 15,000-18,000 Polish deaths and the near-total destruction of the city.
  • 1944–1949 Greek Civil War: Communist-led Democratic Army of Greece guerrillas clashed with government forces backed by Britain and later the United States, erupting in December 1944 amid post-liberation power struggles; the conflict, marked by atrocities on both sides, ended in August 1949 with communist defeat after over 150,000 deaths, solidifying Greece's alignment with the West.
  • 1945–1949 Indonesian National Revolution: Following Japan's surrender, Indonesian nationalists under Sukarno declared independence on August 17, 1945, prompting Dutch attempts to reassert colonial control; irregular militias and republican forces waged guerrilla warfare against Dutch troops, culminating in United Nations-mediated talks that granted full sovereignty on December 27, 1949, after approximately 100,000 combatant and civilian fatalities.
  • 1949 Chinese Revolution: Communist forces under Mao Zedong, after years of intermittent civil war with Nationalists, captured key cities and forced Chiang Kai-shek's retreat to Taiwan; on October 1, Mao proclaimed the People's Republic of China in Beijing, ending Nationalist rule on the mainland following battles that claimed millions of lives since the 1920s but intensified in the late 1940s.

1950–1959

  • 1950: Puerto Rican Nationalist Party revolts – On October 30, 1950, members of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party, led by , initiated coordinated uprisings across , including the declaration of independence in Jayuya and attacks on police barracks, alongside an assassination attempt on U.S. President in , aimed at ending U.S. colonial control. The U.S. military suppressed the revolts within days, resulting in dozens of deaths and the arrest of hundreds of nationalists.
  • 1952: Bolivian National Revolution – From April 9 to 11, 1952, the Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario (MNR), supported by miners and peasants, overthrew the in through armed insurrection, installing as president. The revolution led to , of tin mines, and agrarian reform redistributing land from elites to indigenous peasants.
  • 1952: Egyptian Revolution – On July 23, 1952, the Free Officers Movement, a group of army officers including , staged a bloodless coup in , forcing King Farouk to abdicate and ending the monarchy after widespread discontent with corruption and British influence. The coup established a under military rule, initiating reforms like land redistribution and the withdrawal of British troops from the by 1956.
  • 1952–1960: Mau Mau Uprising – Beginning in 1952, Kikuyu, Embu, and Meru tribesmen formed the (Mau Mau) to resist British colonial land policies and demand , conducting guerrilla attacks on settler farms and collaborators, which prompted a and mass detentions. British forces, employing concentration camps and , suppressed the by 1960, with estimates of 11,000–20,000 Mau Mau deaths, accelerating Kenya's path to in 1963.
  • 1953: East German Uprising – On June 16–17, 1953, construction workers struck against mandated work quota increases, sparking nationwide protests by up to one million people demanding free elections and an end to Soviet domination. Soviet tanks and East German security forces crushed the uprising, killing at least 50 demonstrators and arresting thousands.
  • 1956: Hungarian Revolution – Sparked on October 23, 1956, by student protests in against Soviet-imposed policies, the uprising spread into a nationwide revolt, leading to the appointment of reformist as premier, who promised multiparty democracy and withdrawal from the . Soviet forces invaded on November 4, crushing resistance after street fighting that killed around 3,000 Hungarians and 700 Soviet troops, with Nagy executed in 1958.
  • 1958: 14 July Revolution () – On July 14, 1958, General led a military coup in , overthrowing the Hashemite , executing King Faisal II and Prime Minister , and proclaiming a amid popular resentment over corruption and Western alliances. The revolution ended the but led to internal factionalism, with Qasim pursuing neutralist policies until his overthrow in 1963.
  • 1959: Cuban Revolution – Fidel Castro's , after from 1956, captured on January 1–2, 1959, forcing dictator to flee and establishing a communist government that nationalized industries and aligned with the . The revolution resulted in trials and executions of Batista supporters, mass expropriations, and eventual U.S. embargo after Castro's defiance.
  • 1959: Tibetan Uprising – On March 10, 1959, thousands of Tibetans in protested Chinese occupation and rumors of a plot against the , escalating into armed clashes that prompted the 14th 's flight to on March 17. Chinese forces suppressed the revolt by March 20, destroying monasteries and killing thousands, solidifying control over .

1960–1969

The decade of the witnessed several armed rebellions and revolutions, primarily in post-colonial states and regions seeking or amid and influences. These conflicts often involved ethnic or ideological insurgencies against newly independent governments or colonial remnants, with outcomes shaped by external interventions from powers like the , , Britain, and Soviet-aligned actors.
EventDatesLocationDescription and Outcome
Brunei RevoltDecember 8–17, 1962Brunei (British protectorate)An armed insurrection by the Brunei People's Party and the North Kalimantan National Army against the Sultanate and proposed inclusion in the Federation of Malaysia, aiming for a merger with Indonesia and Sarawak. Rebels seized Limbang and attacked police stations, but British forces, including Gurkhas, suppressed the uprising within days, capturing key leaders like A.M. Azahari who fled to Indonesia; it triggered the broader Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation (1963–1966).
First Iraqi-Kurdish War (Barzani Rebellion)September 11, 1961–1970 (active phase in 1960s)Northern IraqKurdish forces under Mustafa Barzani rebelled against the Iraqi government of Abdul Karim Qasim for greater autonomy, following broken promises of federalism after the 1958 revolution; involving guerrilla warfare, aerial bombings by Iraqi forces, and Kurdish control of mountain regions. The conflict persisted into the 1970s with truces and renewed fighting, costing thousands of lives but failing to secure full independence.
Dhofar Rebellion1962–1976 (escalated from 1965)Dhofar region, OmanA separatist insurgency by the Dhofar Liberation Front (later Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman) against Sultan Said bin Taimur, driven by poverty, Arab nationalism, and Marxist ideology with support from South Yemen, China, and the USSR; rebels controlled rural areas and sought to detach Dhofar. Omani forces, aided by British and Iranian troops, defeated the rebels by 1976 through hearts-and-minds campaigns and military offensives.
Zanzibar RevolutionJanuary 12, 1964Zanzibar (recently independent from Britain)A swift uprising by African nationalists of the Afro-Shirazi Party and Umma Party, led by John Okello, overthrew the Arab-dominated Sultanate of Jamshid bin Abdullah, involving massacres of up to 20,000 Arabs and property seizures amid ethnic tensions from colonial-era inequalities. The revolution established a republic under Abeid Karume, which merged with Tanganyika in April 1964 to form Tanzania, though reprisals and purges continued.
Simba Rebellion (part of Congo Crisis)1964–1965Eastern Congo (now DRC)Lumumbist rebels, self-styled "Simbas" (Swahili for lions), launched uprisings in Stanleyville (Kisangani) and other areas, seizing hostages including 1,000+ Europeans and proclaiming a communist-leaning People's Republic of Congo; supported by Soviet arms but disorganized and reliant on witchcraft rituals for morale. Government forces, bolstered by Belgian paratroopers (Operation Dragon Rouge) and white mercenaries under Mike Hoare, retook key towns by November 1964, crushing the rebellion and executing leaders like Christophe Gbenye in absentia.

1970–1979

  • Black Power Revolution (Trinidad and Tobago, 1970): Protests erupted in February 1970 against lingering colonial structures and racial inequalities post-independence, drawing thousands of participants influenced by U.S. ; the unrest lasted 55 days, involving demonstrations, strikes, and clashes with authorities, culminating in a declared on April 21, 1970, after army mutiny attempts.
  • Carnation Revolution (Portugal, 1974): On April 25, 1974, junior military officers from the Armed Forces Movement executed a nearly bloodless coup against the authoritarian Estado Novo regime, which had ruled for over four decades; civilians joined by placing carnations in soldiers' rifles, symbolizing , leading to the overthrow of and the end of 's colonial wars in .
  • Ethiopian Revolution (Ethiopia, 1974): Widespread discontent over famine, inflation, and imperial rule sparked mutinies in the starting in January 1974; the , a council formed in June, deposed Emperor on September 12, 1974, establishing a socialist that implemented land reforms and nationalizations amid ongoing purges and civil strife.
  • Saur Revolution (Afghanistan, 1978): The (PDPA), a communist faction, launched a coup on April 27, 1978, assassinating President Mohammed Daoud Khan and seizing ; the putsch, named after the Afghan month of Saur, installed as leader, initiating radical reforms that provoked widespread rural rebellions.
  • Iranian Revolution (Iran, 1978–1979): Mass protests against Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's monarchy intensified from January 1978, fueled by economic woes, repression via , and opposition led by ; the uprising culminated on February 11, 1979, with the monarchy's collapse after the shah's exile, resulting in an established via on April 1, 1979, with an estimated 2,000–3,000 deaths in clashes.
  • Nicaraguan Revolution (Nicaragua, 1979): The (FSLN) waged and urban uprisings against Anastasio Somoza Debayle's , escalating after 1978 assassination attempts and natural disasters; Somoza fled on July 17, 1979, after FSLN forces captured , ending 46 years of rule and installing a revolutionary junta that nationalized key industries.

1980–1989

  • Gwangju Uprising (May 18–27, 1980): In , citizens in protested against the military coup led by , forming militias after government forces killed demonstrators; the crackdown resulted in an estimated 200 civilians dead, galvanizing opposition to authoritarian rule.
  • Solidarity Movement (1980–1989): In , shipyard workers in initiated strikes in July 1980 demanding worker rights and free trade unions, leading to the formation of the independent trade union under , which grew to 10 million members and challenged communist authority through nonviolent actions until in 1981 and eventual negotiations culminating in semi-free elections in 1989.
  • 23-F Coup Attempt (February 23, 1981): In , Civil Guard officers under Lieutenant Colonel stormed the during a vote on a new government, holding 350 lawmakers hostage for 18 hours in an effort to restore military rule amid democratic transition; King Juan Carlos I's televised condemnation and military loyalty to the thwarted the plot, with Tejero and accomplices later imprisoned.
  • People Power Revolution (February 22–25, 1986): In the , millions gathered along Avenue in to protest Ferdinand Marcos's fraudulent election claim against , with defections by Defense Secretary and Chief of Staff Fidel Ramos, plus nonviolent crowd resistance to military advances, forcing Marcos to flee and restoring democratic elections.
  • First Intifada (December 1987–1993): In the and , Palestinian residents launched widespread protests, strikes, and stone-throwing against Israeli occupation following a traffic incident killing four workers, involving and boycotts coordinated via underground networks; Israeli responses included over 1,000 Palestinian deaths and mass arrests, pressuring both sides toward the .
  • 8888 Uprising (August 1988): In (then Burma), students in sparked nationwide protests on August 8 against economic mismanagement and military rule under , drawing hundreds of thousands in strikes and marches; the junta's violent suppression killed thousands, leading to a State Law and Order Restoration Council takeover and prolonged isolation.
  • Velvet Revolution (November 17–29, 1989): In , student demonstrations in against communist rule escalated into mass strikes and protests involving up to 500,000 participants, coordinated by and ; the nonviolent campaign forced the resignation of the communist leadership, installing as president and dismantling one-party rule without bloodshed.
  • Romanian Revolution (December 16–25, 1989): In , protests in against the eviction of pastor spread to , clashing with forces loyal to ; army defections and public uprising on December 21–22 led to Ceaușescu's flight and execution on December 25, ending 42 years of communist dictatorship amid over 1,000 deaths.

1990–1999

  • Jana Andolan (1990): In , the People's Movement involved widespread protests starting February 18, 1990, against the and Panchayat system, demanding multiparty democracy; it resulted in over 100 deaths and forced King Birendra to reinstate parliament, lift the ban on political parties, and hold elections in 1991, marking the transition to .
  • Oka Crisis (1990): Mohawk protesters from and blockaded a disputed expansion on sacred land near , , from July 11 to September 26, 1990, leading to a 78-day standoff with Quebec police and Canadian forces; one police officer was killed, and the crisis highlighted but ended without resolution of the underlying claim.
  • Tuareg Rebellion (1990–1995): Tuareg groups in and launched insurgencies seeking autonomy or independence for the region, driven by marginalization and returnee grievances post-Libyan service; conflicts involved attacks on government forces, resulting in thousands displaced and peace accords in 1991 (Mali) and 1995 (Niger) that integrated rebels but failed to fully resolve demands.
  • Rwandan Civil War (1990–1993): The (RPF), composed mainly of exiles, invaded from on October 1, 1990, challenging the Hutu-dominated government of amid ethnic tensions; intermittent fighting killed thousands and displaced over a million before the 1993 Accords established a power-sharing government, though violations led to renewed conflict and the 1994 .
  • Algerian Civil War (1991–2002): Following the Islamic Salvation Front's (FIS) victory in the December 1991 legislative elections, the military annulled results on January 11, 1992, sparking Islamist rebellions by groups like the ; violence escalated with bombings, massacres, and counterinsurgency, claiming 150,000–200,000 lives before the 1999 Civil Concord reduced fighting.
  • Zapatista Uprising (1994): On January 1, 1994, the (EZLN) seized towns in , , protesting NAFTA's impact on indigenous rights and inequality; the 12-day rebellion killed about 150 before a , leading to the San Andrés Accords in 1996 for reforms, though implementation was limited.
  • First Chechen War (1994–1996): Chechen separatists under declared independence in 1991, prompting Russian invasion on December 11, 1994, to restore federal control; intense urban fighting in caused 35,000–100,000 civilian deaths and ended with the on August 31, 1996, granting de facto autonomy until 1999.
  • Kosovo Liberation Army Insurgency (1995–1999): Ethnic Albanian militants of the (KLA) escalated attacks on Yugoslav forces from 1995, seeking independence for ; by 1998, full rebellion involved , massacres, and intervention in 1999, resulting in over 13,000 deaths and UN administration under Resolution 1244.

2000–2009

  • Bulldozer Revolution (Serbia, 2000): Mass protests erupted after the September 2000 presidential election, where opposition candidate claimed victory amid allegations of fraud by incumbent ; on October 5, demonstrators stormed key government buildings in using bulldozers and other heavy machinery, leading to Milošević's resignation and Koštunica's assumption of power without significant violence.
  • Rose Revolution (Georgia, 2003): Following parliamentary elections on November 2, 2003, marred by widespread fraud allegations, opposition leader led protests in ; on November 22, demonstrators entered parliament holding roses, prompting President to resign, paving the way for Saakashvili's election and reforms aimed at reducing .
  • Darfur Rebellion (Sudan, 2003–ongoing): In February 2003, rebel groups (SLM/A) and (JEM) launched attacks on government targets in , citing marginalization of non-Arab ethnic groups; the Sudanese government responded with militias, resulting in over 300,000 deaths and 2.7 million displaced by 2005, with the conflict escalating into widespread atrocities.
  • Orange Revolution (Ukraine, 2004): After the November 21, 2004, presidential runoff where Viktor Yanukovych was declared winner amid documented fraud, hundreds of thousands protested in Kyiv's Independence Square for weeks; the Supreme Court annulled results, leading to a December rerun won by Viktor Yushchenko, marking a shift toward pro-Western policies.
  • 2004 Haitian Rebellion: Armed insurgents, including former soldiers and police, seized northern towns starting February 2004, advancing toward amid unrest against President ; on February 29, Aristide departed amid claims of U.S. involvement, leading to a UN stabilization mission and interim .
  • Tulip Revolution (Kyrgyzstan, 2005): Protests followed parliamentary elections on February 27 and March 13, 2005, accused of fraud favoring President Askar Akayev's allies; demonstrators stormed government buildings in on March 24, forcing Akayev's resignation and , with opposition figures assuming power.
  • Andijan Uprising (Uzbekistan, 2005): On May 13, protesters freed prisoners and seized government sites in amid trials of alleged Islamists and economic grievances; security forces fired on crowds, killing hundreds (estimates 187–700+), suppressing the revolt and prompting international condemnation.
  • Green Movement Protests (Iran, 2009): Following the June 12 presidential election where was declared winner over amid fraud claims, millions protested in and other cities through August; authorities cracked down with arrests, deaths (at least 72), and restrictions, failing to overturn results but highlighting reformist .

2010–2019

The witnessed a wave of popular uprisings across multiple regions, driven by grievances over , economic stagnation, and authoritarian governance, with varying degrees of success in achieving . These events included the ousting of long-standing leaders in and several Arab states, though many devolved into prolonged conflicts or counter-revolutions due to power vacuums and external interventions. Key examples encompassed the Kyrgyz Revolution, the Arab Spring sequence, and Ukraine's Revolution of , each marked by mass protests escalating to violence and leadership transitions.
  • Kyrgyz Revolution (April 2010): Protests erupted on April 6 in Talas against President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's administration, fueled by rising prices, , and , quickly spreading to where demonstrators stormed government buildings on April 7. Security forces killed at least 85 protesters, prompting Bakiyev's flight to southern and eventual exile in after opposition leaders formed an interim government. The upheaval resulted in over 2,000 injuries and ethnic clashes in June between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in and Jalal-Abad, killing around 470 and displacing 400,000, exacerbating communal tensions without resolving underlying instability.
  • Tunisian Revolution (December 2010–January 2011): Sparked by Mohamed Bouazizi's on December 17, 2010, in over police harassment and unemployment, protests demanding President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's resignation spread nationwide, involving strikes by 300,000 workers and clashes that killed 338. Ben Ali fled to on January 14, 2011, ending his 23-year rule and leading to elections for a , though economic woes persisted.
  • Egyptian Revolution (January–February 2011): Inspired by , mass demonstrations began January 25 in Cairo's , with up to 2 million participants protesting President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year authoritarianism, corruption, and poverty affecting 40% of the population. After 18 days of protests, 846 deaths, and military non-intervention, Mubarak resigned on February 11, handing power to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which oversaw elections won by Islamists but later facilitated a military coup.
  • Libyan Uprising and Civil War (February–October 2011): Protests against Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year rule started February 15 in , escalating into armed rebellion with rebels capturing eastern cities and airstrikes under UN Resolution 1973 from March 19 aiding advances. Gaddafi was killed on October 20 in after rebels overran Tripoli in August, but the power vacuum contributed to factional warfare and state fragmentation persisting beyond the decade.
  • Yemeni Revolution (January–February 2012): Anti-government protests from January 27, 2011, targeted President Ali Abdullah Saleh's and economic mismanagement, leading to defections and mediation; Saleh transferred power to Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi on February 25, 2012, after 32 years, amid ongoing tribal and Islamist insurgencies that fueled a 2014-2015 .
  • Syrian Uprising (March 2011–ongoing): Peaceful protests in Deraa on against Bashar al-Assad's regime over and inequality morphed into armed by July, with defectors forming the ; government crackdowns killed over 500,000 by 2019, displacing 13 million, and drawing foreign jihadists and interventions, preventing regime overthrow.
  • Revolution of Dignity (November 2013–February 2014): Triggered November 21 by President Viktor Yanukovych's refusal to sign an association agreement favoring n ties, protests in grew to hundreds of thousands, demanding anti-corruption reforms and his resignation amid riot police violence killing 108 by February 20. Yanukovych fled to on February 22, enabling a parliamentary vote for interim leadership and elections, though sparking and conflict.

2020–Present

The 2020s have witnessed a surge in political instability, including mass protests against , economic collapses leading to regime ousters, sustained civil wars against juntas, and a wave of coups primarily in , often justified by juntas as responses to , insecurity, or foreign influence but frequently consolidating power without restoring civilian rule. These events reflect underlying grievances such as disputed elections, ethnic tensions, and governance failures, with varying degrees of success in achieving systemic change. Armed rebellions have intertwined with popular uprisings, particularly in and parts of , escalating into prolonged conflicts with significant casualties. 2020 Belarusian protests: Sparked on August 9, 2020, following Alexander Lukashenko's claimed victory in a widely viewed as fraudulent, with opposition leader receiving up to 60% support in independent polls. Mass demonstrations drew hundreds of thousands weekly across cities, demanding new elections and an end to 26 years of Lukashenko's rule; protesters employed nonviolent tactics like strikes and women's marches. Authorities responded with over 30,000 arrests, torture reports, and at least four protester deaths by early 2021, suppressing the movement without yielding . 2020 Kyrgyz Revolution: Triggered on October 5, 2020, after parliamentary elections marred by vote-buying allegations favoring pro-president parties, leading to the annulment of results and parliament's dissolution. Protesters stormed in , freeing political prisoners and forcing President to resign on October 15; , a populist opposition figure, assumed interim power and later won the presidency in January 2021 amid criticisms of consolidating authority through constitutional changes. This marked Kyrgyzstan's third major upheaval since 2005, rooted in clan politics and elite rivalries rather than broad ideological shifts. 2021 Myanmar coup and civil war: On February 1, 2021, the military seized power, detaining and leaders, citing alleged election fraud in November 2020 polls where her party won a . Nationwide protests evolved into armed resistance by ethnic armed organizations and the People's Defense Forces, forming the in exile; by 2025, rebels control over 60% of territory, with junta forces suffering defeats in key regions like Rakhine and Shan states, resulting in over 6,000 civilian deaths and displacement of 3 million. The conflict has exacerbated ethnic insurgencies dating to , with foreign actors like influencing ceasefires for economic interests. 2022 Sri Lankan aragalaya protests: Beginning in March 2022 amid an economic crisis with fuel shortages, 70% inflation, and debt default, demonstrations targeted the Rajapaksa family's , culminating in the storming of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence on July 9. Protesters occupied key sites in , forcing Gotabaya's resignation on July 14 and brother Mahinda's as ; assumed , negotiating an IMF but facing accusations of suppressing without addressing . The movement, leaderless and youth-driven, highlighted dynastic rule's failures but yielded limited structural reforms. 2022–2023 Iranian protests (Woman, Life, Freedom): Ignited on September 16, 2022, by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old arrested for violations, protests spread to over 200 cities, with women burning headscarves and chanting against compulsory veiling and theocratic rule. killed at least 551, including 68 children, and arrested over 20,000, using live fire and blackouts; demands extended to overthrowing Supreme Leader , but repression fragmented the movement by early 2023 without regime concessions. Ethnic minorities like and Baluchis faced disproportionate violence, underscoring regime vulnerabilities amid . 2024 Bangladesh uprising: Student-led protests against a reinstated 30% job quota for freedom fighters' descendants began in July 2024 at universities like , escalating into nationwide demands to oust Prime Minister after violent crackdowns killing over 1,400, mostly by security forces. Hasina fled to on August 5, ending her 15-year rule marked by dominance and opposition suppression; an interim government under was installed, promising elections but grappling with reprisal violence and economic woes. The quota system, rooted in 1971 war legacies, symbolized under Hasina's . A parallel trend involved at least nine successful military coups in from 2020 to 2023, concentrated in the and : (August 2020, May 2021), (September 2021), (October 2021), (January and September 2022), (July 2023), and (August 2023). Junta leaders, often citing jihadist threats or elite corruption, suspended constitutions and delayed transitions, prompting sanctions and regional alliances like the ; popular support initially waned amid ongoing insecurity and aid cuts, with over 2,000 deaths in related violence. These coups exploited governance vacuums but entrenched military rule without resolving root causes like poverty and ethnic conflicts.

References

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