Rebellion is a force against those in power that has no lawful cause, nor call for action to change the government for the better of all citizens under it's rule. Revolution, however, is when a combined group of aggitated citizens join together to stand against what they see as unfit rule of the people, or unjustifiable acts. What differentiates the two is that rebellion is action without morals, whereas revolution is called upon to reiterate those morals, and to uphold the ruling powers to them as well. It's because of this that acts such as assassination, civil riots, coups, and violent/criminal acts are not seen as revolutionary. These acts do not end in the result of a change in the way a society is governed. Once a revolution has started there are three different styles of war that revolutionaries use to wage their battles against government forces: guerilla, conventional, and terrorist acts. Guerilla is considered to be an unorthodox style of warfare where there is no set battlefield, and is usually fought in an ambush style. This style of warfare is usually fought by people who are without uniforms or specified markings to distinguish themselves, as well as lack of a formal structure of command. There is also usually a confusing distinction between civilian and one who is considered to be militant. Conventional is characterized by operations of combat that are enacted by distinctively clothed or marked military forces that are fought on a battlefield. A conventional approach usually targets the direct supplies of it's enemy to weaken their strength where it will hurt most. Terrorist acts involve an intentional, usually grand act of violence used to achieve a political goal. These acts are directed towards civilians and not military or government forces. During these attacks terrorists are are often disguised as civilians.

Revolutions that took place in the Atlantic/Western world were a demonstration of frustration of a subjugated peoples. Revolutionaries fought to end what they saw as tyranny and abuse of power. They desired liberty and freedom from servitude and slavery. No longer was rule by privilege going to be a factor for these revolutionaries, they wanted a democratic system that served the people justly with equality and enable them the ability to liberally enjoy their property. It was an upheaval to end the old regime and religious political stronghold.  John Locke's ideologies helped to distinguish the differences between oppression and a government that is trustworthy enough for a man to want to give up their free natural state of nature. His Two Treaties of Government (1690) illustrated what a democratic responsibility these appointed officials were going to be held to. Should these appointed people break the trust of those they are governing, they are opening a door for them to return to their natural state of liberty as they are better off than with then being constant prey to those in power. The people are dependent upon a government to help protect them, their rights, and their property. If they are not capable of doing so they can take those duties into their own hands. Based on these principles, Western Revolutions fought for their right to stake claim in what they deemed to be their property, according to Locke's ideology is based upon labor, which comes only from the subject who has done said labor. As labor is what differentiates Nature from property. It is also because of this fact that slavery is a theft of liberties, and properties. If you are a slave, you are robbed of your liberties because you are placed under that rule contrary to your wishes. If you are a slave your labor is being used to conjugate property, of which is being robbed from you to benefit a tyrant who has placed you under their boot. This was due cause for revolutionary action.