What is fettmilch uprising?

The Fettmilch uprising was a political and social uprising that took place in Frankfurt, Germany in the early 17th century. It was led by a group of guildmasters and merchants, who were frustrated with the dominance of the patrician class in the city's political and economic affairs. The uprising was named after its leader, Vincent Fettmilch.

The Fettmilch uprising began in 1612, when a group of guildmasters and merchants formed a new political party, which they called the "New Council". They began to challenge the authority of the old patrician council, and demanded more political power and economic freedom. The patricians initially resisted these demands, and the situation quickly escalated into violence.

In January 1614, Fettmilch and his followers organized a violent attack on the city hall, and declared themselves the new governing council of the city. This led to a brief period of turmoil, during which the patricians were driven from power and their properties were seized by the guildmasters and merchants.

However, the Fettmilch uprising was short-lived. The patricians soon organized a counter-attack, and with the help of troops from neighboring cities, they were able to regain control of Frankfurt within a matter of months. Fettmilch and many of his followers were arrested, and some were executed for their role in the uprising.

The Fettmilch uprising had a lasting impact on the politics and society of Frankfurt. It led to major reforms in the city's political system, including the expansion of the city council to include representatives from the guilds and merchants. It also highlighted the growing tensions between the patrician class and the rising middle class in cities across Europe.