Zitassan Revolution
| Zitassan Revolution | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Painting of the Battle of the Gap, depicting a cavalry charge lead by Enricho Bianci | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Zitasso | Avergnon | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Enricho Bianci Delmo Genovese Nicola Giordano Walter Trevisan | |||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 40,000 | 60,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 2,833 | 4,382 | ||||||
The Zitassan Revolution (Zitassan: Rivoluzione Zitassan; Avergnonian: Révolution Zitassanne), called in Zitasso the Grande Guerra della Libertà Zitassan ("Grand War of Zitassan Freedom") was a successful war of independence by Zitassan revolutionaries against Avergnon between 1822 and 1824. The war is a great point of pride among Zitassans, and they celebrate Independence Day every August 11th.
Background
Up until 1650 modern day Zitasso was ruled by a variety of small duchies and counties. In 1607 Avergnonian troops first marched through the small gap in the Lanfelsen mountain range and began conquering the small Zitassan states one by one, with the last one falling in 1650.
Zitassan culture was heavily suppressed under Avergnonian rule, with the Zitassan language being heavily discouraged, this lead to massive unrest in the region, with numerous rebel groups popping up in opposition Avergnon.
Outbreak of the Revolution
On March 16 1822 the leaders of the four largest anti-Avergnon rebel groups met in a small village in modern day Zitasso City. These leaders, Enricho Bianci, Delmo Genovese, Nicola Giordano, and Walter Trevisan all had different views of what an independent Zitasso would look like but they all agreed to unite together to battle their common enemy. Instead of selecting a singular leader they agreed to make decisions together, forming the first Quadrumvirate.
On August 11 the Quadrumvirate declared Zitassan independence and established the Federal Republic of Zitasso. This declaration lead to mass revolts against Avergnonian rule within Zitassan lands. Charles Renaudin, the Avergnonian official made governor of Zitasso who was especially hated by Zitassan citizens, was hung from a lampost in Romani City, and soon the revolutionary flag was flying over all of Zitasso.
Any Avergnonian military presence in Zitasso was quickly forced to retreat across the border, with thousands of Avergnonian settlers fleeing as well. The massive outpour of refugees slowed down the Avergnonian troops sent to crush the rebellion, allowing Zitassan troops to dig in and build defenses.
On October 29 60,000 Avergnonian troops marched through a gap in the Lanfelsen mountain range and were met with 30,000 Zitassan soldiers, who forced the Avergnonian into a bottleneck and killed 5 Avergnonians for every 1 Zitassan. When Avergnon attempted to retreat a detachment of 500 Zitassan soldiers lead by Enrico Bianci managed to go around some of the mountains and attacked them for beyond, causing confusion in Avergnonian ranks and a chaotic retreat back to Avergnon. This is today known as the Battle of the Gap, and it is common in Zitasso to refer to a surprising upset as "Hitting them like it's the gap"
Avergnon quickly regrouped and on December 18 they attempted another attack on the gap, this time with more artillery and some of the most elite troops the Avergnonian military had to offer. This time they managed to break through Zitassan lines after 2 weeks of fighting, the rebels retreated to the city of Varia. The two sides met on January 27th 1823 and saw Zitassan rebels beaten easily, as they were outgunned and outmanned, the defeat caued Zitassan forces to retreat further north.
After pushing the rebels out of Varia Avergnonian troops camped in the city, forcing residents out of their homes and beating those who did not comply, in addition to this numerous captured Zitassan soldiers were executed, as were prominent citizens of Varia who sympathized with the rebels. Zitassan forces would take on a policy of executing the majority of their P.O.Ws in retribution.
On February 28 Avergnonian forces would burn the town of Varia to the ground and continue their march into the nation. The Quadrumvirate, realizing the direness of their situation sent 10,000 men to intercept Avergnonian troops before quickly retreating, splitting into two groups. The Avergnonian army, believing this to be all that was left of the rebels decided to split into two groups and pursue them with the goal of destroying them once and for all.
The two armies lead Avergnon on a wild goose chase deep into Zitassan territory, dividing Avergnonian troops into two. On May 18 one of the two Avergnonian armies caught up to Zitassan troops in Condicci, but by this point 20,000 reinforcements had joined them. Avergnonian troops were defeated handily in the Battle of Condicci and retreated south, by the time the other Avergnonian army realized what was going on it was too late, they lost 2,000 men at the Battle of Piceli and retreated south as well.
Avergnon regrouped at Salonia, the Zitassan rebels at this point having the manpower advantage over Avergnon. The two armies met in July where Avergnon was once again forced to surrender, though they inflicted heavy casualties on Zitasso. Zitassan forces took a few months to recover before once again pursuing the Avergnonian army.
On September 13 they met at Varia for the second time, with Zitasso defeating Avergnon and pushing them out of Zitasso in December 1823.
The Quadrumvirate met with the President of Avergnon in Vesallia in January, and on February 19 1824 the Treaty of Vessalia was signed, defining Zitassan borders and forcing Avergnon to recognize Zitassan independence and sovereignty.