What Is A Mutiny?

Mutiny is considered a rebellion against authority, usually organized by someone who is not a person of authority. But this general definition doesn’t fit with most ideas about mutiny, since people think of this action as taking place on a ship. The more general term of mutiny includes two key factors – conspiracy (pre-planning) and the military.

The word “mutiny” itself has language roots in old English and French. The base word “mutine” indicates a revolt. There is a slight difference between a mutiny and a revolt however, at least in current society, since most will think of a definite order of command in the military or on a ship being shaken up by planned action from soldiers or the crew. In contrast, the word “revolt” is often applied to uprisings by the general population.

It’s interesting to note that the term “mutiny” has been applied to both violent action in taking over a ship or command of a military unit and to refusal by soldiers to fight. But in either case, the term is applied to an action that is planned to get around the established order.

Some historians, especially in the military setting, have separated general mutiny into two types – one meant to actually take over the positions of authority and the other meant to get better working or living conditions. The most famous mutiny in recorded history may be the action that was highlighted in “Mutiny on the Bounty.” This tale was based on a true story involving Captain Bligh and First Officer Fletcher Christian.

The results of this mutiny are well recorded, as the men who took part went on to live in the South Pacific and establish a community that was sustained by following generations. Some feel the sailors took over because of the unbending and inhumane treatment they got from Bligh. Others felt that Christian and about a dozen others simply wanted to find a new life on a tropical island.

Training materials and guidelines for military officers attempt to address the subject of mutiny in a very logical fashion, outlining a few reasons that this type of action may occur. One puts the blame on stress, stating that the men and women ordered to perform certain tasks reach a point at which they can’t perform efficiently any longer.

However, there are more extreme cases, in which the subordinates in a command structure no longer respect the authority of the commander. In this instance, it may be more difficult to make changes that will stop a mutinous action. Military training urges officers to address situations much earlier, when individual insubordination is evident. This may stop the activity from growing into a group action that would classify as a true mutiny.

Taking the discussion back to the Bounty, officers are also encouraged to consider that the men under their command may be seeking power, aside from questions of working conditions or work-related stress. In some cases, the mutineers may be seeking a new way of life, which some say was the actual cause of that famous mutiny.

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