Difference between insurrection and rebellion?

Sans-Culottes   Tue Apr 04, 2006 5:14 pm GMT
Is there difference between insurrection, rebellion and riot? Or can they be used as synonyms? I could not get an exact sense from dictionaries, maybe I am looking to the wrong ones.
Uriel   Tue Apr 04, 2006 5:20 pm GMT
I think in order of severity, from largest form of unrest to smallest, you have:

Rebellion (probably nation-wide, or across a significant portion of the country, designed to overthrow a government)

Insurrection (can be a synonym for rebellion, but may also be smaller, affecting only part of the country)

Riot (probably limited to a single location or group of locations, probably spontaneous or disorganized violence in response to a specific issue)
Sans-Culottes   Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:03 pm GMT
that was most helpful, thanks for the response.
Uriel   Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:09 pm GMT
No problem. Hope you find your pants soon!
Guest   Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:24 pm GMT
And your undies too!
Uriel   Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:23 am GMT
Just hope it's not chilly, either way! ;)
Sans-Culottes   Wed Apr 05, 2006 7:04 pm GMT
Damn, maybe one day I'l be lucky enough to take the fancy pants of an aristocrat after the guiotinne ;)