Coups have occurred throughout history from ancient and mediaeval times to our modern time. We explore the nature of coups with examples such as the coup that saw the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC and Hitler’s failed coup against the Munich government in 1923. More recently we will explore the attempted coup against Gorbachev in 1991 and the most recent coup – that which was attempted in 2021 in the USA.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

SUGGESTED READING

• Luttak Edward N., Coup d’Etat: A Practical Handbook, Harvard Uni Press ISBN 9780674737266
• O’Rourke, Lindsey, Covert Regime Change, Cornell Uni Press 2018, ISBN 1501730657
• Shipman, Tim, No Way Out, How Brexit Got Done, William Collins 2024, ISBN 9780008712037

COURSE OUTLINE

• Common characteristics of coups/regime changes throughout history and some individual differences
• Failed coups including Julius Caesar 44 BC, Bag of Pigs Invasion 1961. Military and old KGB against Gorbachev 1991 and 6th January 2021 storming of the Capitol Building in Washington DC
• Successful coups including Brexit 2015-2019, Mussolini 1922 Italy,Edward IV the Yorkist King of England 1461, Bolsheviks 1917 in Russia, LBJ and Brazil 1964, Agrippina/Nero 54 AD Roman Empire
• Impact of the coups in the short and longer term

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Gain a sound understanding of the similarities and differences between coups across various periods of history
2. Discuss the short term and longer term results of some of the most famous coups in history
3. Determine to which extent, particular individuals influence the course of events involved in failed or successful regime changes