[cf. anarchy, etc.] Government by cannon; usurpation supported by cannon.
1841. Mrs. Gore, Cecil, I. 164 (Hoppe). The greatest despotism of modern times, the cannonarchy of Napoleon.
1864. Atlantic Monthly, May, 633/2. Our constitutional polity would give way to a cannonarchy.
1868. Westport Daily Times (N.Z.), 10 April, 2/6. In the forenoon we were not behind in the way of cannonarchy, for with the aid of the blacksmith’s anvil, and some of Harvey’s gun powder, six booming shots were fired as a token of their loyalty.
