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[[File:Hong Kong Trump poster.png|thumb|353x353px|[[National Endowment for Democracy|NED]]-funded rioters in [[Hong Kong Special Administrative Region|Hong Kong]] calling for [[Donald Trump]] to support them]] | [[File:Hong Kong Trump poster.png|thumb|353x353px|[[National Endowment for Democracy|NED]]-funded rioters in [[Hong Kong Special Administrative Region|Hong Kong]] calling for [[Donald Trump]] to support them]] | ||
A '''colour revolution''' is a term given to a revolution that appears to be led by the [[proletariat]] in search of [[Liberalism|liberal]] ideals, but is | A '''colour revolution''' is a term given to a revolution that appears to be led by the [[proletariat]] in search of [[Liberalism|liberal]] ideals, but is in reality a regime change operation coordinated and funded by [[Imperialism|imperialist]] interests. | ||
The point of a colour revolution is to appeal to liberals, whose ideology is prevalent in [[Imperial core|highly developed capitalist countries]], so as to gain their support. As with all historical development, colour revolutions are part of the [[class struggle]], and most people who participate (both behind the scenes and in the streets) are aligned with [[Bourgeoisie|bourgeois]] interests. | The point of a colour revolution is to appeal to liberals, whose ideology is prevalent in [[Imperial core|highly developed capitalist countries]], so as to gain their support. As with all historical development, colour revolutions are part of the [[class struggle]], and most people who participate (both behind the scenes and in the streets) are aligned with [[Bourgeoisie|bourgeois]] interests. | ||
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== Mechanism == | == Mechanism == | ||
Some negative | Some negative sentiments in the target region are exploited by imperialist organisations and encouraged to spread, for example through programs such as the [[National Endowment for Democracy]]. These sentiments are then amplified globally by western media outlets (such as the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]]-owned [[Radio Free Asia]]), and presented as a legitimate call for liberty by the people. These narratives portray the colour revolutions as enjoying overwhelming popular support, while ignoring opposing voices or discrediting them as "fringe" groups. | ||
Usually, imperialist organisations pick the friendliest and closest ideologically organisation to fund, train and push to lead the revolution. This is how, for example, Demosisto became the de-facto leader of the unrest in the eyes of [[the west]] during the [[Hong Kong Protests of 2019]]; they pushed for independence despite this idea being supported by less than a fourth of Hong Kong citizens. | Usually, imperialist organisations pick the friendliest and closest ideologically organisation to fund, train and push to lead the revolution. This is how, for example, Demosisto became the de-facto leader of the unrest in the eyes of [[the west]] during the [[Hong Kong Protests of 2019]]; they pushed for independence despite this idea being supported by less than a fourth of Hong Kong citizens. | ||
The | The objectives of a colour revolution typically involve the imposition of a "[[free market]]" capitalist system and the installation of a regime friendly to [[Western]] geopolitical interests. | ||
== Examples == | == Examples == | ||
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=== 1970-1979 === | === 1970-1979 === | ||
* [[Republic of Chile#Pinochet dictatorship|Coup d'état in Chile]], 1973 | * [[Republic of Chile#Pinochet dictatorship|Coup d'état in Chile]], 1973 | ||
=== 1980–1989 === | === 1980–1989 === | ||
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=== 1990–1999 === | === 1990–1999 === | ||
* [[Annexation of East Germany]] (Germany) | * [[Annexation of East Germany]] (Germany), 1990 | ||
* [[Overthrow of the Soviet Union]] (Soviet Union) | * [[Overthrow of the Soviet Union]] (Soviet Union), 1991 | ||
=== 2000–2009 === | === 2000–2009 === | ||
* [[Rose Revolution]] ([[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]) | * [[Rose Revolution]] ([[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]), 2003 | ||
* [[Orange Revolution]] ([[Ukraine]]) | * [[Orange Revolution]] ([[Ukraine]]), 2004 | ||
=== 2010–2019 === | === 2010–2019 === | ||
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* [[Arab Spring]], 2011 | * [[Arab Spring]], 2011 | ||
* [[2014 Ukrainian coup d'etat|Euromaidan]] (Ukraine), 2014 | * [[2014 Ukrainian coup d'etat|Euromaidan]] (Ukraine), 2014 | ||
* [[2018 Armenian revolution|Velvet Revolution]] ([[Republic of Armenia|Armenia]]) | * [[2018 Armenian revolution|Velvet Revolution]] ([[Republic of Armenia|Armenia]]), 2018 | ||
*[[Hong Kong Special Administrative Region#2019 Hong Kong riots|Hong Kong riots]] (China; failed), 2019 | *[[Hong Kong Special Administrative Region#2019 Hong Kong riots|Hong Kong riots]] (China; failed), 2019 | ||
*[[2019 Bolivian coup d'état]] | *[[2019 Bolivian coup d'état]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:55, 10 April 2026
A colour revolution is a term given to a revolution that appears to be led by the proletariat in search of liberal ideals, but is in reality a regime change operation coordinated and funded by imperialist interests.
The point of a colour revolution is to appeal to liberals, whose ideology is prevalent in highly developed capitalist countries, so as to gain their support. As with all historical development, colour revolutions are part of the class struggle, and most people who participate (both behind the scenes and in the streets) are aligned with bourgeois interests.
If successful, a colour revolution will put the national bourgeoisie in power and turn them into a comprador class for the benefit of their imperial masters. As such, colour revolutions are usually waged against socialist states.
History[edit | edit source]
The term was originally used in western media after the illegal dissolution of the Soviet Union as countries in the union started transitioning to a capitalist mode of production. Capital was invested in these revolutions to make it seem like the people wanted to leave socialism and preferred capitalism. Most people did not entirely know what they were protesting for, with author Michael Parenti detailing in his book Blackshirts and Reds that many Soviet citizens thought they would still get all the benefits of socialism, but only with more consumer goods like they had seen in the USA.
Mechanism[edit | edit source]
Some negative sentiments in the target region are exploited by imperialist organisations and encouraged to spread, for example through programs such as the National Endowment for Democracy. These sentiments are then amplified globally by western media outlets (such as the CIA-owned Radio Free Asia), and presented as a legitimate call for liberty by the people. These narratives portray the colour revolutions as enjoying overwhelming popular support, while ignoring opposing voices or discrediting them as "fringe" groups.
Usually, imperialist organisations pick the friendliest and closest ideologically organisation to fund, train and push to lead the revolution. This is how, for example, Demosisto became the de-facto leader of the unrest in the eyes of the west during the Hong Kong Protests of 2019; they pushed for independence despite this idea being supported by less than a fourth of Hong Kong citizens.
The objectives of a colour revolution typically involve the imposition of a "free market" capitalist system and the installation of a regime friendly to Western geopolitical interests.
Examples[edit | edit source]
1970-1979[edit | edit source]
- Coup d'état in Chile, 1973
1980–1989[edit | edit source]
- 1989 Tian'anmen Square riots (China; failed)
- Counterrevolutions of 1989 (Eastern Europe)
1990–1999[edit | edit source]
- Annexation of East Germany (Germany), 1990
- Overthrow of the Soviet Union (Soviet Union), 1991
2000–2009[edit | edit source]
- Rose Revolution (Georgia), 2003
- Orange Revolution (Ukraine), 2004
2010–2019[edit | edit source]
- Arab Spring, 2011
- Euromaidan (Ukraine), 2014
- Velvet Revolution (Armenia), 2018
- Hong Kong riots (China; failed), 2019
- 2019 Bolivian coup d'état
2020–2029[edit | edit source]
- 2020 Belarusian protests (Belarus; failed)
- 2021 Cuban protests (Cuba; failed)
- 2024 Georgian protests