Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:47:58-2:48:48

How navies can enable or obstruct a coup

Navies rarely execute coups alone, but their support or deliberate nonintervention can decide whether a change of regime succeeds.

Civil Military RelationsEnglish RestorationGlorious RevolutionImperial Japanese NavyMilitary CoupsNaval Politics
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Question

Do navies ever execute a coup?

Short answer

Occasionally; more often their support or nonintervention helps determine whether a coup or dynastic change succeeds.

Notes

General Monck used naval support to bring Charles II back during the Restoration. The English fleet later stayed out of William and Mary's way during the Glorious Revolution. The Imperial Japanese Navy also provides examples of direct coup plotting. Together these cases show that sea services can influence regime change by transporting claimants, withholding resistance, or joining military conspiracies.