Insurrection
/ˌɪnsərˈɛkʃən/
nounC1
Definition
Insurrection means a sudden and forceful fight by a group of people against the government or those in power. It is often illegal and can involve violence or rebellion. People involved want to change the current system or leadership.
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See It in Action
A violent uprising against government or authority
- •The insurrection was quickly stopped by the army.
- •The city was in chaos during the insurrection.
- •Insurrection often leads to strict government responses.
A sudden attempt to take control or power by force
- •The group planned an insurrection to overthrow the leader.
- •Insurrections can happen when people feel ignored or oppressed.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "insurrection" like "fight," but a very big and serious fight against the government or leaders.
- ✓Picture people in a city square holding signs, shouting, and sometimes breaking things because they want change.
- ✓It's the feeling of strong anger and desire for freedom or justice when people believe the government is unfair.
- ✓Sounds like "in-sure-REC-shun" → Imagine people saying "We are sure to stand up!" in a loud, powerful way.
- ✓Remember stories or movies about revolutions or groups rising up to change kings or leaders.
- ✓NOT like "protest" (which can be peaceful), insurrection usually involves force or violence to try to change power.
- ✓NOT like "riot" (which can be random violence), insurrection has a goal to change government or authority.
- ✓NOT like "rebellion" (which is similar), but insurrection usually means a smaller, sudden uprising rather than a long war.
Try Other Words
- •Rebellion: a longer or bigger fight against authority (Use when the uprising lasts longer or is more organized)
- •Uprising: a smaller or less violent rise against power (Use when the event is less violent or smaller scale)
- •Mutiny: rebellion by soldiers or sailors against their leaders (Use when the insurrection happens inside the military)
- •Riot: a violent public disturbance without clear political goal (Use when violence is random and not organized to change government)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "in-" (into, against) + "surrect" (from Latin "surgere," meaning to rise) + "-ion" (a noun suffix meaning action or process)
- •Etymology: From Latin "insurrectio," meaning a rising up or revolt
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s to describe groups rising against rulers or governments
- •Modern usage: Describes violent attempts by groups to overthrow or challenge authority, often in politics or history
- •Key insight: The word focuses on the action of rising up against power, usually sudden and forceful
Reflect & Connect
•What are some reasons people might feel the need to start an insurrection?
•How do governments usually respond to insurrections, and what effects can these responses have on society?
Fill in the blanks
1.An insurrection usually happens when people feel ___ by their government and want to ___ the current leaders.
2.Unlike a peaceful protest, an insurrection often involves ___ or the use of force.
3.The government may send the army or police to ___ an insurrection quickly.
4.An insurrection is different from a riot because it has a clear ___ to change power or rules.
5.Soldiers can start a mutiny, which is a kind of insurrection ___ their own leaders.
6.People planning an insurrection often organize secretly to ___ surprise against the government.
7.If an insurrection fails, its leaders may be ___ or arrested by the authorities.