Difference Between a Coup and a Revolution?

Some of the participants at the horrifying insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 seemed to be under the impression that they were participating in some sort of revolution. They weren't. Instead, they were trying to foment a coup. What's the difference between a coup and a revolution? A lot, actually. Despite their similarities, the two phenomena are very different, and arise out of distinct historical processes. In this video we'll look at what that difference is and why it matters, using examples from history of what revolutions are (and aren't).

[mwi]

When people have called this event they always haven’t communicated/explained it to me like this so I always thought they were full of shit. Now I see how it was a coup. Thank you! This was a damned good video! My favorite so far! So well explained ❤❤❤
Also I found you from the Iran contra video which was superb as well as the pierce one!

[theNTT.StrandedAlien]

Often before clicking on Sean's videos I ask myself if the topic is useful or interesting and by the end the answer is always "yes".

[talibbeyal-morokech]

I just discovered your channel a few days ago (Iran-Contra video) and subscribed because of just how well researched and informative the content was.. then finally I came across this video tonight, and let me say - every American needs to watch this one…!!!!

[willthethrill]

I always appreciate your analysis! Great work!

[thattimestampguy]

0:00 Insurrection at The US Capitol January 6th, 2021.
1:20 Sean Munger's Introduction.
1:40 The Capitol Insurrection of Jan 6th 2021 was a horrifying Historical Moment, although it opens up a lesson for learning historical context about coups and revolutions and the difference between the 2 changes of ruling power.

*Some Major Revolutions in World History* 1:58

- American Revolution 1776
- French Revolution 1789
- Russian Revolution 1917
- Chinese Revolution 1911-around 1951
- The Iranian Revolution of 1979

Coup
- The 1969 Gaddafi Coup

*A Coup vs A Revolution*
2:43 Coups are not the same as Revolutions.
Coups occur in countries deemed non-democratic or unstable.
3:27 _"Coups involve a change of leaders. Revolutions involve a change of systems."_
Coups change leaders but leave the system the same.
Revolutions build up a new system the nation adopts over the former system, which appears less desirable than it used to be.
7:38 Fidelity to a Political Leader is NOT the cause of a Revolution.

*The French Revolution of 1789*
3:36 The 1789 French Revolution
- Storming of The Bastille
- Guillotining of The King and Queen of France in 1789 Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
- A Napoleonic Coup D'etat 1799

*The French Revolution Transformed France's System of Government*
! The Tax System Changed
! The Legal System Changed
! The Infrastructure System Changed
! The School System Changed
4:18 France's *Entire Society* underwent transformative change into something completely (unlike the French Bourbon Monarchy many centuries of rule.)
6:33 The Monarchy in France was brought down by
- Economic (poor economy, American Revolution war debt)
- Social (social class unrest by The Third

*The Libyan Coup of 1969*
4:48 Libya was a Monarchy ruled by King Idris I
1959 - Oil is discovered in Libya, Oil is a valuable commodity in an Industrial Economic World
5:15 September 1st, 1969 The Muammar Gaddafi's Pan-Arab Coup overthrew King Idris I.
5:35 Pan-Arabism
6:22 A political change in leadership, but not a revolution of the Libyan system.

*Similarities between 1789 Revolutionary France and The 1969 Libyan Coup*
5:44
- Both changed government
- Both abolished Monarchy and est. a Republic in it's place

8:04 China's 1911 Communist Revolution of Emperor Pu Yi.

*About Revolutions*
_Revolutions are built through centuries of refinement until the Revolution can be brought into action._
8:38 Rage at The System, not merely The Man in Charge, ex. The Iranian Revolution of 1979
8:52 Revolutions are led by Revolutionary Elite.
9:27 A Cabal in 1969 and 1799
10:09 The Bolshevik Revolution begin in the 1800s before it appeared in 1917 with the Assassination of Nicholas II, last Tsar of Russia.

10:40 Revolutions took generations, not days and hours, to be successful.
+ Offer a clear and positive alternative to the existing national order.
11:41 The Revolutionary has arguably a tougher job than the Military Commanders who fight to defend Revolutionary ideals.

*Operation American Spring May 2014*
13:10 May 2014 Tea Party "Revolution" Operation American Spring.
13:50 30 Tea Party Protestors showed up and didn't change anything.

*The Lesson of The January 6 2021 Coup*
1:40 The Capitol Insurrection of Jan 6th 2021 was a horrifying Historical Moment, although it opens up a lesson for learning historical context about coups and revolutions and the difference between the 2 changes of ruling power.

7:00 The 2021 Capitol Rioters/Trump Supporter Insurrection wanted to
- Keep President Donald Trump in power despite the results of the 2020 Election
9:46 Jan 6 2021 was not a Revolution. 12:23 It was a failed attempt at a Coup.
14:21 If you don't know history, you can mistake the trappings of a revolution as something easy when it is not easy.
14:35 "Insurrection and Revolution are dangerous, deadly, and extraordinarily complex historical processes."
15:00 Few Coups have happened in The United States in it's first 250 Years.
15:12 Coups tend to happen in a country with a:
- Weak Political and Social fabric
- Stressed Political and Social fabric
15:18 + A Robust, well-functioning Democracy can resist pressures of extremist ideologues.

[Stormwriter]

I was reading this in "Battle Cry of Freedom" last night, and thought of your video:
"In one respect, the Confederacy departed from the classic pattern of the genre. Most counterrevolutions seek to restore the Ancien Régime (old Order). The counterrevolutionaries of 1861 made their move before the revolutionaries had done anything - indeed, several months before Lincoln even took office. In this regard, secession fit the model of "pre-emptive counterrevolution" developed by historian Arno Mayer. Rather than trying to restore the old order, a pre-emptive counterrevolution strikes first to protect quo before the revolutionary threat can materialize. "Conjuring up the dangers of leaving revolutionaries the time to prepare their forces and plans for an assault on their terms, " writes Mayer, "counterrevolutionary leaders urge a preventive thrust." To mobilize support for it, they "intentionally exaggerate the magnitude and imminence of the revolutionary threat."
Also interesting that later it says, "The event that precipitated secession was the election of a president by a constitutional majority. 'We must settle this question now, whether in a free government the minority have the right to break up the government whenever they choose.'" said Lincoln.

[tenv]

House of Leaves spotted at the bottom right...

[georgebartley]

Extremely useful information delivered very well.

[stanleyrogouski]

Napoleon was a member of the Jacobin club.

[unopine]

Really surprised this didn't get more traction. If I wasn't already subbed... Then I would have after watching it.

[Megalevel]

Hey, great channel, very clear, concise, and well-informed. I'm surprised your videos don't have way more views. I'm sure once you achieve critical mass, this is going to take off. Probably just have to get your name out there a little bit more :)

[Sunluvr]

It would have been great if all Americans had watched this video before the Jan 6 hearings. A great many people have heard legacy media constantly using the word but don’t understand what it means .

[joeharris]

There's revolution like when the French deposed Louis. There's secession like when the 13 American colonies left the English empire.
There's coup where a military Junta gets rid of the leader, like Allende in Chile. There's putsch, when an armed group of citizens depose the legitimate government, like Ukraine in 2014.
Regime change is when a government is overturned by outside powers, like when the US got rid of Noriega in Panama.

[tombuilder]

one of the best channels about History and disinformation that are important to the survival of our country!

[tompatterson]

I thought the Maidan Revolution was pretty spontaneous.

[NoNameNumberTwo]

Thanks for this helpful video. I always thought it had something to do with coup = military, but that’s why they say “you learn something new every day” 🤓

[tugger]

kind of absurd this only has 570 views. you'd think that the algo picked you talking about conspiracy theories and automatically did you in

[Iamawesomenorly]

if intentionality is what differentiates them, wouldn't that mean that some of the 'america first' parties present(e.g. nick fuentes) were revolutionaries? because they do want to transform america from a constitutional republic to a "catholic monarchy."

[bertbaker]

@~4:40, glad you mentioned the French Republican Calendar. It only lasted 12 years but i love how ardent the French people were in trying to completely do away with the ancien regime. Great video

[mammuchan]

Such an interesting video thanks so much Sean.