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Uprisings in the Russian and British Empires

  • Nine Years War

    Nine Years War
    Due to centuries of oppressive policy toward the Irish nobility, the Irish began a rebellion that was to last nine years. When it failed, the nobles responsible fled, and left their people to the English reprisals.
  • Bolotnikov Rebellion

    Bolotnikov Rebellion
    The first of four peasant uprisings during the Time of Troubles, this rebellion was intended to unseat a Tsar who was thought to be an impostor. It failed when two of Bolotnikov's commanders betrayed him. The draining war and famine that proceeded it provided the opportunity for this rebellion.
  • Powhatan Uprising

    Powhatan Uprising
    After repeated warnings from the local tribes, the British colonists at Jamestown were attacked by the Powhatan Confederation. The attack led to an increased policy of extermination toward Native Americans. The English maintained the same policies of previous centuries, putting down dissent with violence.<p>
  • Stenka Razin's Rebellion

    Stenka Razin's Rebellion
    After a long career of raiding the coasts of the Volga, Razin attempted to replace the governments of swaths of the Russian Empire with Cossack rule. Although the attempt failed, Razin is still a folk hero to many modern Russians. Because Russia had not yet recovered from the Time of Troubles, this uprising had the opportunity and support to gain the power it did.
  • Jacobite Uprisings

    Jacobite Uprisings
    Following the dismissal of the Earl of Mar from court, he began an uprising in Scotland, backing the exiled Stuart house against the King. The opportunistic uprising failed, but it was not to be the last of its kind.
  • American Revolution

    American Revolution
    When Britain's benign neglect foreign policy toward the Americas backfired, the thirteen colonies rebelled. Due to the resources lost in the previous Seven Years War and being mired in a multinational war on many fronts, the British were forced to concede.
  • Kosciuszko Uprising

    Kosciuszko Uprising
    Seeking to liberate his native Poland from the Russian Empire, General Kosciuszko waged a campaign against the much better equipped and trained Russian army for months. When the revolution failed, he was exiled. Having been instrumental in the American Revolution, the General had the experience needed to help his troops put up a fight, an experience he would not have had at any other time period.
  • Decembrist Revolt

    Decembrist Revolt
    Following the death of Tsar Alexander I, the army was divided on whether to support the oldest or youngest son. The younger son, Nikolai I, met his opposition with brutal violence and put down his dissenters. Centuries of strong tradition are responsible for the uncertainty surrounding this shaky line of succession.
  • Eureka Rebellion

    Eureka Rebellion
    Brutal government practices against the miners of Eureka, Victoria in Australia led to a revolt of the workers against government troops. The death toll was relatively low, but the event spurred industry reform. Previous centuries of using Australia as a prison colony contributed to the poor working conditions that began this revolt.
  • Russian Revolution of 1905

    Russian Revolution of 1905
    After a peaceful protest of workers turned violent, factory workers across the Empire began to revolt. Despite brutal reprisals, the Tsar was unable to restore order until he put industrial reforms into place. His costly war against Japan had weakened his regime to the point that this revolution could not be as easily suppressed as previous ones.
  • Boer Revolt

    Boer Revolt
    The British Empire sought the help of their South African colony in World War I, but the local people rebelled rather than enlist. Recruitment and mobilization was stopped until the revolt was put down. Without the spurring event of World War I, this revolt may have never happened.
  • Revolt of 1916

    Revolt of 1916
    In an attempt to bolster their numbers for World War I, the Russian Empire tried to forcibly enlist the native Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Tajiks, Turkmen, and Uzbeks. They fought back, and were massacred as a result. World War I set the stage for this tragedy, much like the Boer Revolt in the British Empire.