Batavian Revolution
| Batavian Revolution | |||||||
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| Part of Unravelling of the Vanic Web | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Batavia
|  Batavian Democratic Republic
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| Batavian Armed Forces
| Batavian People's Army
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| Civilian deaths: | |||||||
The Batavian Revolution of 1685 was a wave of mass political and social unrest that spread through vast areas of the Franco-Batavian Empire. Started as a series of strikes and local disturbances after the declaration of independence of West Amokolia with the outbreak of the Amokolian Revolution, it soon developed in a full-blown and nationwide revolt against the nobility and ruling class. The retirement of the popular king, Arkadius IV and the collapse of Vanic foreign support, accelerated the demise of the liberal and reactionary government.
Causes
Amokolian Revolution
- 01.VI.1685: Start of the Amokolian Revolution: small uprisings, orchestrated by rebels.
- 04.VI.1685: King Arkadius IV and his wife are evacuated from their palace in Brandenburg, in West Amokolia, to Batavia.
Retirement of the King
- 07.VI.1685 - Having arrived at Blanckenhof Palace, the king has a mental breakdown. The loss of his family members and friends in Stormark and the betrayal of his fellow Franco-Batavian countrymen, hit Arkadius hard. He resigns his position, leaving Joseph des Vinandy-Windsor in charge as prince-regent for the pcrown princess Elizabeth des Vinandy, a minor.
Labour problems and rise of opposition
- Increased economical troubles, increase in prices for basic goods and the loss of their king, lead to social unrest. The opposition pressures the government in holding new elections.
Special Lagerhuis elections of 1685
The Lagerhuis which was elected in 1684, remained dominated by reactionaries thanks to the support and influence of the king. Gerrymandering and widespread pressure by factory directors - the worst seen since the elections of 1661 AN - had already made it a controversial government body. Opposition parties became vocal opponents of the administration, but censorship laws were passed to keep the peace.
Growing tension and pressure eventually led to a nationwide emergency elections in 1685 AN. Though proclaimed a victory and rebirth of true Batavian democracy, a large part of the electorate could not vote (Gasconians - as they didn't officially belong to Batavia - and oversea territories were left out). Opposition parties grew in strength.
Start of the revolution
Work in progress. Outcome undecided.
