View source for Engström Revolt

[[Category:Geatland]][[Category:History of Geatland]]{{Region icon Kylaris}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = Engström Revolt
| image             = Sneden_watercolor_of_Battle_of_Malvern_Hill.jpg
| image_size        = 300px
| caption           = The [[Royal Geatish Army|army]], commanded by [[Leo von Heidenstam]], {{wp|shell (projectile)|shell}} a {{wp|republicanism|republican}} militia contigent in Varsalla Field, November 1866
| date              = March 1866 - February 1867
| place             = [[Geatish Islands]]
| result            = Government victory
* Armed resistance eliminated
* Rebel leaders executed
* Establishment of the [[Constitution of Geatland]]
| combatant1        = [[Republicanism in Geatland|Geatish Republicans]]
| combatant2        = {{flag|Geatland}}
| units1            = {{flagicon image|Socialist_red_flag.svg}} Geatish Republican Front:{{bulleted list|Engström's Militia|Varssala Militia|Farmer's Front}}
| units2            = [[Royal Geatish Army]]
| strength1            = 14,500 army soldiers<br>300 pro-monarchist militiamen
| strength2            = 3,230 pro-republican militiamen 
| commander1        = [[Henrik Engström]]
| commander2        = [[Gunnar III of Geatland|Gunnar III]]<br>[[Leo von Heidenstam]]
| casualties2       = 2,800 killed
| casualties1       = 720 killed 
| casualties3       = 900 civilian casualties
}}

The '''Engström Revolt''', also known as the '''Engström Insurrection''' or the '''Revolt of 1866''', was a {{wp|tax protester|tax protest}} turned {{wp|republicanism|pro-republican}} {{wp|rebellion|armed revolt}} led by [[Henrik Engström]] against the [[Geatland|Geatish]] [[Monarchy of Geatland|monarchy]]. The revolt initially began as a farmer's protest against heavy taxes levied on independent farmer's land and produce. The revolt developed on the crest of successful republican revolutions that swept Euclea in the early 19th century, and eventually, the revolt's leaders advocated for the outright {{wp|abolition of monarchy|abolition of the monarchy}}. Although the revolt was unsuccessful and quickly suppressed, it was widely influential in the long run, as it resulted in the promulgation of the [[Constitution of Geatland]] and the end of {{wp|absolute monarchy|monarchical absolutism}} in [[Geatland]].

By the beginning of the 19th century, many [[Euclea|Euclean]] nations had removed their monarchies or drastically reduced their powers. Geatland, however, remained an absolute monarchy. Although there had been some reforms to democratize the insular and conservative nation, the Geatish monarch retained absolute authority. In 1860, [[Gunnar III of Geatland|Gunnar III]] acceded to the throne, and he proceeded to reel back various democratizing reforms. In 1866, Gunnar enacted new taxes against free farmers, or farmers that did not work for landed aristocrats, as well as restricted their ability to purchase land. Among other controversial reforms, Gunnar's directives greatly angered the Geatish public and particularly Geatish farmers. The king's new taxes motivated [[Henrik Engström]], a free farmer from [[Tyrland]], to organize a {{wp|militia}} to demand rights for Geatish farmers and loot government reserves. 

Although the Engström's revolt was never intended to be {{wp|anti-monarchism|anti-monarchist}}, growing pressure and a refusal on the part of the Geatish crown to recognize Engström's demands resulted in the formation of the Geatish Republican Front, which advocated for [[republicanism in Geatland]]. Because the group's motives were seen as radical, it lost popular support among all but the most fanatic. Nevertheless, Engström proved himself to be a shrewd military commander, and he was able to outmaneuver or defeat monarchist forces sent against him. The revolt reached its acme when Engström successfully captured the city of [[Varsalla]] in September 1866. However, Engström was unable to maintain stable supply lines or morale among his men. Furthermore, the Geatish Royal Army, recognizing the threat, finally mobilized in earnest, led by [[Leo von Heidenstam]]. Von Heidenstam was able to successfully fight a {{wp|Attrition warfare|war of attrition}} against Engström, wearing his forces thin. Engström surrendered to von Heidenstam and the army on 10 February 1867, and we executed soon thereafter. The rebellion was ended.

Although the Engström Revolt was a failure, it highlighted serious {{wp|cleavage (politics)|political cleavages}} in Geatland. It demonstrated to the Geatish ruling aristocracy the desire for democratic governance, and it forced Gunnar III to convene the [[Riksdag of Geatland]] to draft a [[Constitution of Geatland|constitution]] that would limit his power. Along with the [[Great War (Kylaris)|Great War]], the Engström Revolt is considered one of the major factors that engendered {{wp|constitutional monarchy}} in Geatland. Many historians contend that the Engström Revolt afforded the monarchy the will to change, and that if it had not happened the monarchy would have likely been abolished in the wake of the Great War.