Rump state

Possible extent of the "Kingdom of Soissons", a Roman rump state following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.

A rump state is the remnant of a once much larger state that was reduced in the wake of annexation, occupation, secession, decolonization, a successful coup d'état, or revolution on part of its former territory. In the last case, a government stops short of going into exile because it controls parts of its remaining territories.

A rump state may face a higher likelihood of renewed conflict with the states formed from its former territories, depending on the manner of its reduction. There are numerous examples throughout history as well as contemporary ones, although the designation is sometimes disputed.