A "coup," short for coup d'état, is a sudden and illegal seizure of power from a government. It typically involves a small group, often military leaders or political factions, who overthrow the existing authority. Coups can lead to significant changes in leadership and government structure, often without the consent of the general population. The motivations behind a coup can vary, including political, economic, or social dissatisfaction. Historical examples include the 1973 Chilean coup that overthrew President Salvador Allende and the 2014 Thai coup that removed the elected government. Coups can result in instability and conflict within a country.