civil resistance
Nonviolent political opposition
Civil resistance is organized, nonviolent opposition to a government, occupying power, or institution.
It encompasses tactics like strikes, boycotts, protests, and civil disobedience—methods that refuse cooperation without resorting to violence.
The term emphasizes collective action and strategic planning: The movement relied on civil resistance rather than armed struggle.
Distinguished from spontaneous protest by its sustained, deliberate character.
- sit-inProtest by remaining seated
- sit-down strikeProtest by remaining seated
- Gandhian philosophyNonviolent resistance doctrine
- direct actionConfrontational political tactics
- conscientious objectionMoral refusal to fight
protest · strike · mass mobilization · taking to the streets · satyagraha · blockade · boycott · Velvet Revolution · justice · self-determination · Arab Spring · moral courage · teach-in · power dynamics · nonviolence · peaceful protest · human rights · grassroots organizing
- peacepeace, peaceful, peacefully, peace sign, peace symbol
- protestdemonstration, walkout, picket, protest march, sit-in
- resistancedefiance, resist, dissidence, opposition, pushback
- civic actioncivic engagement, community organizing, grassroots organizing, grassroots movement, volunteering
- RevolutionsFrench Revolution, Russian Revolution, American Revolution, Cuban Revolution, Mexican Revolution
- peacemakingnegotiation, mediation, peace agreement, mediate, pacifying
civil resistancearmed rebellion
Violent resistance to authority
armed struggle · guerrilla warfare · terrorism · military coup · armed conflict
civil resistancecompliance
Adhering to requirements
obedience · submission · collaboration · conformity · acquiescence
civil resistancelobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
institutional reform · party politics · diplomatic negotiation · parliamentary procedure