Sedition vs. Treason — What's the Difference?

Sedition is overt conduct, such as speech and organization, that tends toward rebellion against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent toward, or insurrection against, established authority.

Treason is the crime of attacking a state authority to which one owes allegiance. This typically includes acts such as participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplomats, or its secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or attempting to kill its head of state.

Conduct or language inciting rebellion against the authority of a state.

The betrayal of allegiance toward one's own country, especially by committing hostile acts against it or aiding its enemies in committing such acts.

(Archaic) Insurrection; rebellion.

The betrayal of someone's trust or confidence.

Organized incitement of rebellion or civil disorder against authority or the state, usually by speech or writing.

The crime of betraying one’s own country.

Insurrection or rebellion.

An act of treachery, betrayal of trust or confidence.

The raising of commotion in a state, not amounting to insurrection; conduct tending to treason, but without an overt act; excitement of discontent against the government, or of resistance to lawful authority.

The offense of attempting to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance, or of betraying the state into the hands of a foreign power; disloyalty; treachery.

Dissension; division; schism.

Loosely, the betrayal of any trust or confidence; treachery; perfidy.

An illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority and tending to cause the disruption or overthrow of the government

A crime that undermines the offender's government

Disloyalty by virtue of subversive behavior

An act of deliberate betrayal