What does revanchism mean?
Revanchism describes a political determination to recover what was lost after a defeat, such as territory, political influence, national status, or rights. The word is often used to describe nationalist or conservative movements that seek to undo the consequences of an earlier war, revolution, or settlement. Its implication is generally hostile: revanchism is not merely a desire for change but a pursuit of redress understood by critics as revenge. The term can refer either to a broad ideological tendency or to a specific policy judged to serve that tendency. In historical writing, it is particularly associated with efforts by defeated states or groups to overturn settlements that reduced their power. In contemporary discussion, it is commonly applied to foreign policies and nationalist rhetoric that appear intended to restore a previous political or territorial position.
nounRevanchism is the pursuit of restoring lost territory, influence, rights, or political power after a defeat or loss. The term often refers to nationalist or conservative movements seeking revenge for an earlier defeat or the reversal of a political settlement.
- The policy or movement of seeking to reverse the consequences of an earlier defeat, especially by recovering territory, rights, influence, or political power.
- A broader insistence on redressing a historical grievance or restoring a former national position, typically with a hostile or retaliatory character.
"The government's foreign policy was widely criticized as revanchism because it appeared intended to reverse the results of an earlier war."
"Opposition leaders accused the minister of revanchism after she proposed revisiting the terms of the settlement."
"The speech was dismissed by critics as revanchism rather than a serious effort to address the conflict."
Revanchism is revenge with a political agenda: it names a determined effort to undo an earlier defeat or restore lost power.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does revanchism come from?
The English word comes from French revanchisme, a term for a policy of revenge or restoration after defeat. It was formed from revancher, “to avenge,” related to revanche, “a chance to regain a lost position,” and ultimately to a vocabulary of compensation and retaliation. The concept entered English political discussion in the context of nineteenth-century European nationalism and efforts to revise the settlements following earlier conflicts.
Related word forms
How revanchism is actually used
The word is primarily political and historical. It is usually critical rather than neutral, implying that the pursuit of restoration is driven by vengeance, hostility, or unwillingness to accept a legitimate settlement.