Legal Consequences of the Peasant Uprising in Bohemia in 1775

Abstract

The 250th anniversary of the events of 1775, the largest peasant uprising in Bohemia, once again prompts an examination of the conditions in the Czech countryside between the Thirty Years’ War and the final third of the 18th century. This inquiry spans social, legal, economic, and demographic perspectives, addressing how rural society responded to increasing demands from landlords, adapted to crises, and underwent transformation. While smaller revolts are documented in the late 15th and 16th centuries, the first large-scale uprising occurred in 1680.

Peasant uprisings in the Czech lands exhibited a distinct character compared to those in other European countries. They did not escalate into large-scale rebellions resulting in significant loss of life. Punishments were typically intended as exemplary deterrents, yet they were frequently mitigated. Protesters primarily expressed their grievances through written petitions, complaints, and formal requests. Initially, serfs appealed to historical privileges, but over time, their demands shifted toward the enforcement of corvée patents, the reduction of corvée obligations, or their complete abolition. These developments reflected broader societal tensions and a growing call for social change.The imposition—and frequent mitigation—of punishments fostered sympathy for the ruler while reinforcing a degree of detachment between serfs and landlords. These dynamics were subsequently echoed in the Josephine reforms, particularly the “Patent of the Abolition of Serfdom” and the “Patent of Toleration”.