Typically, it is a violent, illegal, unconstitutional seizure of power by a political faction, military, or a dictator. Many scholars consider a coup successful when the usurpers seize and hold power for at least seven days and impose either democracy or authoritarianism on the state.

What is an example of a coup d etat?

1930 Argentine coup d'état: General José Félix Uriburu overthrew President Hipólito Yrigoyen. Brazilian Revolution of 1930: An armed revolution culminated in a coup d'état which ousted President Washington Luís and established the Brazilian military junta of 1930.

What is coup give an example?

coup noun [C] (SUCCESS)

an unexpectedly successful achievement: ... I got him to come to a party, which was something of a coup. Their story about the princess was a real coup. Winning the helicopter contract was a real coup for him.