Sankarism is a term sometimes applied to denote a left-wing ideological trend within the politics of Burkina Faso, as well as the policies of the military government led by the first president of Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara. Sankara came to power in what was then the Republic of Upper Volta in a popularly supported 1983 military coup, and ruled until his assassination in a coup led by Blaise Compaoré in 1987.