Civil War in Libya

[PanzerJaeger]

Yes, the Shah of Iran is a good example. The other slightly outdated examples is trying to save Metternich during the revolutions in 1848 (which was obviously futile and never tried) or Charles X with the Swiss guard in 1830. I can't remember many historical examples to support your idea.

Think harder?

Here are a few off the top of my head. You could really throw in a lot of Civil Wars as well where the side breaking away failed to gain independence such as America's, but I wanted to keep it simple.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillipine_American_war

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_rebellion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1959_Tibetan_uprising

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungari...lution_of_1956

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebelli...e_Seven_States

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Jewish_Revolt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananm...otests_of_1989

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Intifada

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_Uprising_in_Karbala

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thammas...tober_protests

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1932_Sa...asant_uprising

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitchfork_Uprising

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaocen_Revolt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sokehs_Rebellion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Rising

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boer_Revolt