Apalkov Rebellion

Apalkov Rebellion
Date 1745-1749 (Open rebellion) 1749-1769 (Last rebel leaders captured) Location Southern Venadia Result Government victory Rebel leaders executed A thousand folk songs
Belligerents
Template:Country data Venadia	Apalkovist Rebels Ilverian, Boldirian and White Venadian rebels
Commanders and leaders
Grand Prince Boris Bagdunin Graf Rodimir Vyateslav	Ivan Apalkov
Strength
c. 15,000 (1745) 30,000 (1747)	At least 100,000 1746
Casualties and losses
15,000-25,000 Between 1,500-10,000 civilians	25,000-50,000

The Apalkov Rebellion, also known as the Southern Rebellion, the Second Venadian Civil War and Liberty War, is one of the most significant revolts in Venadian history and the largest peasant revolt. The rebellion, originating in the Proylopol area spread throughout southern and eastern Venadia, and gathered support among Venadian peasants, minority groups and some lesser boyars. While ultimately a failure, the legacy of the rebels proved long-lived, and following the rebellion the Venadian Republic implemented numerous reforms, such as abolishing the remnants of the Venadian system of serfdom.

Government forces failed to respond adequately to the rebellion, partially as a result of a failure to comprehend its scale until too late, and by 1746 the rebels held vast areas in southern Venadia. The rebels implemented sweeping reforms, such as land redistribution, the abolishment of serfdom, tenant farming and Boyar privileges, democracy, religious tolerance and universal male suffrage. However, by 1749, the rebels had lost the vast majority of their territory, Ivan Apalkov had been captured and executed and the embers of the rebellion continued largely as isolated bands in the 1750s and 1760s who became almost indistinguishable from regular bandits.

The Rebellion has generated a significant number of stories, legends and cultural works. In posterity, the rebels are viewed with a significant amount of sympathy, especially in the south.