A coup, short for coup d'état, is the sudden overthrow of a government, often executed by a small group, such as military leaders or political factions. This action typically involves the illegal seizure of power, bypassing the established political processes. Coups can occur in various forms, ranging from peaceful takeovers to violent uprisings. The motivations behind coups can vary, including dissatisfaction with current leadership, political instability, or economic crises. Historical examples of coups include the 1973 Chilean coup that ousted President Salvador Allende and the 2014 Thai coup that removed the elected government. Coups can lead to significant changes in governance and often result in civil unrest.