Peasants' War (1798)
Encyclopedia
The Peasants' War was a peasant revolt
in 1798 against the French occupation of the Southern Netherlands
, including modern Belgium, Luxembourg, and parts of Germany, during the French Revolutionary Wars
.
département), the revolt is called Klëppelkrich. The revolt was sparked off by the introduction of conscription
for all men aged between 20 and 25 years old in Luxembourg, in late September 1798, and quickly spread, enveloping most of the West Eifel
. For the most part, the revolt was restricted to the peasantry, hence its name, and the revolutionary impulse barely spread to the middle classes, for whom the spirit of anti-clericalism
and modernisation that the French Revolution
brought were advantageous.
Bereft of organisation and military training, and without the backing of the middle classes, the insurgency was quickly put down by the French occupiers. In retribution for the revolt, 94 insurgents were tried
, of whom 42 were sentenced to death
.
and Dyle départements), it was called Boerenkrijg. A group of brigands was chased through the Campine
s by the French army, led by General Jardon, and was defeated in Hasselt
(department of Meuse-Inférieure
), on December 5, 1798. There were between 5000 and 10000 deaths and severe repression (170 executions of the leaders). Another group went towards the coast, to meet the British, but were defeated at Ingelmunster
(200 deaths).
département) and Liège (Ourthe département), there was some resistance, supported by for instance the Abbot of Gembloux
, Dom Columba Wilmart. But in general, the acceptance of membership in France and the cooperation of local authorities to conscription were more important.
Peasant revolt
Peasant, Peasants' or Popular is variously paired with Revolt, Uprising and War and may refer to :*Daze Village Uprising 209 BC*Yellow Turban Rebellion 184...
in 1798 against the French occupation of the Southern Netherlands
Southern Netherlands
Southern Netherlands were a part of the Low Countries controlled by Spain , Austria and annexed by France...
, including modern Belgium, Luxembourg, and parts of Germany, during the French Revolutionary Wars
French Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states...
.
Luxembourg
In Luxembourg (ForêtsForêts
Forêts was a département of the French First Republic, and later the First French Empire, in present Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. Its name, meaning 'forests', comes from the Ardennes forests. It was formed on 24 October 1795, after the Southern Netherlands had been annexed by France on 1...
département), the revolt is called Klëppelkrich. The revolt was sparked off by the introduction of conscription
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
for all men aged between 20 and 25 years old in Luxembourg, in late September 1798, and quickly spread, enveloping most of the West Eifel
West Eifel
The West Eifel refers to that part of the Eifel mountains in Germany that is centred on the town of Prüm and reaches as far as the border with Belgium and Luxembourg...
. For the most part, the revolt was restricted to the peasantry, hence its name, and the revolutionary impulse barely spread to the middle classes, for whom the spirit of anti-clericalism
Anti-clericalism
Anti-clericalism is a historical movement that opposes religious institutional power and influence, real or alleged, in all aspects of public and political life, and the involvement of religion in the everyday life of the citizen...
and modernisation that the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
brought were advantageous.
Bereft of organisation and military training, and without the backing of the middle classes, the insurgency was quickly put down by the French occupiers. In retribution for the revolt, 94 insurgents were tried
Trial (law)
In law, a trial is when parties to a dispute come together to present information in a tribunal, a formal setting with the authority to adjudicate claims or disputes. One form of tribunal is a court...
, of whom 42 were sentenced to death
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
.
Flanders
In Flanders (Lys and Scheldt départements) and Brabant (Deux-NèthesDeux-Nèthes
Deux-Nèthes is the name of a département of the First French Empire in present Belgium and the Netherlands. It is named after two branches of the river Nete. The southern part of its territory corresponds more or less with the present Belgian province Antwerp....
and Dyle départements), it was called Boerenkrijg. A group of brigands was chased through the Campine
Campine
The Campine is a natural region situated chiefly in north-eastern Belgium and parts of the south-western Netherlands which once consisted mainly of extensive moors, tracts of sandy heath, and wetlands...
s by the French army, led by General Jardon, and was defeated in Hasselt
Hasselt
Hasselt is a Belgian city and municipality, and capital of the Flemish province of Limburg...
(department of Meuse-Inférieure
Meuse-Inférieure
Meuse-Inférieure is the name of a département of the First French Empire in present Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. It is named after the river Meuse. Its capital was Maastricht....
), on December 5, 1798. There were between 5000 and 10000 deaths and severe repression (170 executions of the leaders). Another group went towards the coast, to meet the British, but were defeated at Ingelmunster
Ingelmunster
Ingelmunster is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises only the town of Ingelmunster proper. As of January 1, 2006, Ingelmunster had a total population of 10,617. Its total area is 16.16 km²...
(200 deaths).
Wallonia
In Walloon Brabant, the Hainaut (Jemmape département), Namur (Sambre-et-MeuseSambre-et-Meuse
Sambre-et-Meuse was the name of a département of the First French Empire in present Belgium. It was named after the rivers Sambre and Meuse. Its capital was Namur....
département) and Liège (Ourthe département), there was some resistance, supported by for instance the Abbot of Gembloux
Gembloux
Gembloux is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Namur, on the axis Brussels-NamurOn 1 January 2006 the municipality had 21,964 inhabitants...
, Dom Columba Wilmart. But in general, the acceptance of membership in France and the cooperation of local authorities to conscription were more important.