Serve logo

Ten Failed Revolts Throughout History

Lost but Not Forgotten

By Charlotte WilliamsPublished 6 years ago 9 min read
Like

At a time of political disturbance, it can be hard to guarantee the stability of our world’s future. Looking back into the past, we observe revolution upon revolution. Those that succeeded are remembered and celebrated, but those that fail are often pushed aside.

The Helot Revolt of 464BC

In Ancient Sparta, there was a class of slaves, known as the Helots. They were like their masters, hailing from neighbouring lands, speaking the same language, and worshipping the same gods. The Helots were the lowest and largest group in Sparta, outnumbering the Spartiates. According to Thucydides, the Helots were descendants of the Messenians. They were enslaved in the First Messenian War in the 8th century BC.

In 464BC, there was an earthquake in Sparta. The Helots took advantage of this disaster to stir up trouble. The Helots fortified Mount Ithome, and after a five-year siege they were offered sanctuary by the Athenians. Due to the sheer size of the Helot population, the Spartans were restricted in their movements, and were forced to stay closer to home. We must remember that the Ancient World was dominated by a slave culture, and that there are no sources from Helots, only those that would have owned them.

The Third Servile War of 73BC to 71BC

Slavery was widespread in Rome, with the number of slaves overriding that of citizens. The gladiator and slave, Spartacus, led the rebellion, though little is known about his youth. Two historians, Appius and Florus, give varying accounts on how Spartacus became a slave. He was tall and strong, with military training making him perfect for the arena. Due to this, he was sent to a gladiatorial school by his master.

In 73BC a plan was derived, with over two hundred people agreeing. With so many informed slaves, it was inevitable that word leaked. Knowing what was to come, Spartacus raided the kitchens, and less than half rose in revolt. The overseers were killed, and the rebels escaped to Mount Vesuvius.

Rome sent four separate armies to quench the rebellion, and they were all beaten by Spartacus, the supreme commander, and his rebels. The Romans built a wall, with the rebels having the sea at their back, leaving them with nowhere to go. Spartacus and his men tried to escape, but failed. One last battle followed, and Spartacus and his men were killed.

Iceni Revolt in 60AD

The Iceni Revolt is the Celtic revolt of the Iceni tribe, led by their queen, Boudicca, against the Roman Empire. It started with the death of her husband, King Prasugatus. It was his wish to install peace after his death. Prasugatus left half of the kingdom to Emperor Nero, and the other half to his daughters. The Romans came, and subjected Boudicca to flogging whilst her daughters were raped. Icenian men of high status were stripped of their lands and reputations, and the people were treated like slaves. The Romans took more than their share; Boudicca was outraged.

She raised an army, appealing to a fellow tribe who had also been subjected to the Romans’ brutal rule, appealing to them as a woman who had been shamed. Her forces focused their wrath on Camulodunum and Londinium. Both were burnt to the ground. Archaeologists have found evidence of these fires.

The Icenians were defeated at The Battle of Watling Street, where the Romans strategically chose a battleground where the large numbers of Boudicca’s army would prove futile. Boudicca’s placement of the wagons hindered their ability to flee and they were defeated. In order to escape capture, Boudicca and her daughters consumed poison and died.

Yellow Turban Rebellion from 184AD to 205AD

The Han Dynasty, the second imperial dynasty of China, was in power during the Yellow Turban Rebellion. The people of China were under a cloud of poverty and famine. The crisis forced people from the north to the south. Those that were wealthy took advantage of those seeking refuge. The rich benefitted and the poor were exploited. The Dynasty began to crumble, as eunuchs with influence over the king sought power for themselves. The people lost all faith in the government, who merely cared for their own gains.

The rebels had informants and allies within the emperor’s court, with the plans being made under his nose. Zhang Jue was called the General of Heaven during the revolution. Separate forces were dispatched to deal with the uprisings in the three locations, and the rebels defeated the forces of the government. The tables turned. The Zhang brothers were killed and the rebels were eventually defeated. After their defeat, several uncoordinated rebellions still broke out until it was suppressed by Cao Cao in the year 192.

Peasant’s Revolt of 1381

The Peasant’s Revolt of 1381 was the first greatest rebellion in English history. It was due to the poll tax instated the previous year. The lower classes were not happy with forking out taxes, especially after the devastating impact of the Black Death, which left many jobless, and families destroyed. Originating in Essex, the protests spread, with the first being under the command of Wat Tyler. Men from Essex and Kent marched to London, where they destroyed the stalls of some Flemish merchants, and destroyed the castle belonging to the Duke of Lancaster. He, however, happened to be the uncle of the King, Richard the II.

The King began negotiations, and whilst he was away, a group of the rebels captured London Tower. Many important men in London were executed, including the chancellor, Archbishop Simon of Sudbury, and the treasurer, Sir Robert Hales. Wat Tyler was murdered by the Mayor of London, and the King bargained for peace. The rebels accepted his terms, and left satisfied. These promises were, however, soon forgotten.

Jack Cade’s Rebellion in 1450

Due to the Hundred Years War with France, the banks of Britain were as dry as a bone. War was costly, there was nothing in the empty vaults. Henry VI instated a heavy taxation that officials manipulated to line their own pockets, which the poor and the rich were against. The leader of the rebellion was Jack Cade, a nobleman.

Troops were sent to deal with protesters in Kent, but Cade’s men came away victorious. They marched to London and were accepted by the people, who sympathised with their position. They failed to capture the Tower of London, but killed the archbishop and the treasurer. Cade offered some demands in return for royal pardons and standing down, to which the officials agreed. However, the king had not agreed and nor had parliament, so Cade’s arrest was warranted. Jack fled. He was caught by the new Sheriff of Kent. He was hung, drawn, and quartered. His head was placed on a pole on London bridge, and the rest of his associates were hunted down and killed.

Monmouth Rebellion of 1685

The Monmouth Rebellion consisted of the failed disposition of King James II by his illegitimate nephew, James Scott, Duke of Monmouth. Monmouth was in exile at the time of his father’s death, due to a part he had played in his father’s and uncle’s assassination attempt.

After arriving at Lyme Regis on the 11th of July, Monmouth captured Axminster. His uncle recaptured Dorset, cutting off Monmouth’s escape route. On June 20th, he was proclaimed King at the Market Cross. After this, Monmouth moved towards Bristol, England’s second largest city, yet altered his plans upon learning that it was occupied and instead heading to Bath. However, the rebels were not welcome there.

Monmouth moved from place to place, unable to find a stronghold in his uncle’s kingdom. The end came in the form of the Battle of Sedgemoor, the last battle between the two forces on English soil. Monmouth was captured, and was executed on the 15th of July 1685. It took the executioner five swings of the sword to remove the head, and a dagger was used to sever connecting tendons.

Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 to 1746

A "Jacobite" was a follower and loyalist of James II and his Stuart descendants, supporting their claim to the British throne. They are called a "Jacobite" as "Jacobus" is Latin for James.

On the 23rd of July 1745, James’ son, Charles, landed off the coast of Scotland. With the promise of French and Catholic allies, Charles and his men met at Glenfinnan, where James was proclaimed king. In September of the same year, Charles and his army captured Edinburgh. The Scots prevailed at the Battle of Prestonpans, defeating the English forces.

The Scottish forces reached Derby. The promise of 12,000 French soldiers and Catholic allies did not come to Charles’ aid. With hostilities rising as they drew closer to London, Charles retreated to Scotland, with the English following hot on his heels. The Scots and the English met at Culloden Moor on April the 16th, 1746. It was the last major battle fought on British soil, and the Jacobites were eradicated. Charles fled, and a £30,000 reward was placed on his head. Charles escaped on a ship to France, and one of the longest rebellions in British history was over.

Nat Turner’s Rebellion of 1831

Nat Turner’s Slave Rebellion in Virginia, 1831, was the largest slave revolt to take place in America. Nat’s owner, Benjamin Turner, allowed him to be educated, taught to read and write, and instructed in religion. Nat became a minister, and believed that he was meant to deliver his fellow slaves from their bondage. Nat killed his owner and their family , before fleeing to Jerusalem, Virginia. With 75 followers in tow, they were responsible for the deaths of around 60 white people. Three thousand men rounded them up outside of Jerusalem, and the rebels were captured. Nat was tried, openly confessing his participation with no regret, and was hanged on the 11th of November.

The Riel Rebellion of 1885

Also known as the North-West Resistance, the Riel Rebellion was a feud fuelled by the Canadian government’s disregard for the land rights and survival of the Métis. The Métis were those of mixed ancestry, often the offspring of an American Indian and a white person. In the 1870s, white settlers came pouring into Canada, taking the land that belonged to the Métis. Natives were infected with diseases that had been brought over by the white settlers, to which they had no immunity.

In the 1880s, they called on the president of the Métis National Committee, Louis Riel, who had led the previous Red River Rebellion. Riel had been exiled to Montana, to teach at a school. Riel had previously been admitted to an asylum as he saw himself as the prophet of the New World. He set up a provisional government, with himself as the president. In March 1885, armed rebellion broke out around Duck Lake. The final battle was fought at Métis headquarters in Batoche where the Métis and native forces were decisively defeated. The Canadians overwhelmed Métis soldiers, and Riel surrendered. He was tried for treason, and was found guilty.

history
Like

About the Creator

Charlotte Williams

Instagram: @charmwillwrites

Creative Writing Grad from the UK.

Interested in myths, and true crime.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.