What is Coup d’état?

A coup d’état is when a group of people quickly take over the government by force or trickery.

Imagine you're on the playground, and the kids are playing tag. The teacher (who's like the leader of the school) usually decides who gets to be "it." But one day, a bunch of kids decide they don't want the teacher to choose anymore, they want to pick themselves. So they all run over and grab the teacher, push them aside, and say, "We're in charge now!" That’s like a coup d’état.

Sometimes, adults do this too. In a country, the leader might be the president or king. If a group of soldiers or politicians suddenly takes over, that's a coup d’état, just like when those kids on the playground took control from the teacher. It happens fast, and people are usually surprised.

Sometimes it’s peaceful, like a handshake deal. Other times, it’s loud and scary, like a big argument with lots of shouting or even fighting. Either way, the leader changes, and that's what makes it so exciting, or confusing!