The Making of a Revolution

William Tell (P. G. Wodehouse Edition)

This thread traces the practical stages by which discontent becomes a revolt capable of replacing Austrian rule.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Discontent Accumulates Discontent Accumulates from "William Tell". Discontent Accumulates A broad grievance Taxes and prohibitions affect the Swiss people across daily life.

Discontent Accumulates from "William Tell". Discontent Accumulates A broad grievance Taxes and prohibitions affect the Swiss people across daily life.

Discontent Accumulates A broad grievance Taxes and prohibitions affect the Swiss people across daily life. A political cause emerges The burden encourages citizens to treat separate frustrations as evidence of a shared oppressive system. The revolution begins before anyone takes up arms, in a common judgment about rule.

Petition Gives Way Petition Gives Way from "William Tell". Petition Gives Way Attempts exhausted The original delegates and Arnold of Sewa all return without relief.

Petition Gives Way from "William Tell". Petition Gives Way Attempts exhausted The original delegates and Arnold of Sewa all return without relief.

Petition Gives Way Attempts exhausted The original delegates and Arnold of Sewa all return without relief. A new conclusion The people decide that the Governor will not be moved by complaint or tact. The repeated failure provides a rationale for rebellion.

A Public Spark A Public Spark from "William Tell". A Public Spark Defiance becomes visible William Tell refuses to bow and shoots through the Governor’s hat after the guards attack him.

A Public Spark from "William Tell". A Public Spark Defiance becomes visible William Tell refuses to bow and shoots through the Governor’s hat after the guards attack him.

A Public Spark Defiance becomes visible William Tell refuses to bow and shoots through the Governor’s hat after the guards attack him. A first opening The crowd joins the conflict and hears Tell describe the moment as the beginning of revolution. A local confrontation gives the larger movement a public spark.

The Champion Removed The Champion Removed from "William Tell". The Champion Removed Arrest at a moment of hope Hermann Gessler captures William Tell after the apple shot and the second-arrow threat.

The Champion Removed from "William Tell". The Champion Removed Arrest at a moment of hope Hermann Gessler captures William Tell after the apple shot and the second-arrow threat.

The Champion Removed Arrest at a moment of hope Hermann Gessler captures William Tell after the apple shot and the second-arrow threat. A movement tested The people lament the loss of their leader but do not yet attack the armed escort. The revolution must become more than the deeds of one man.

Fortresses Taken Fortresses Taken from "William Tell". Fortresses Taken The rising spreads Meetings across the country resolve to begin the revolution, and people seize Gessler’s fortresses.

Fortresses Taken from "William Tell". Fortresses Taken The rising spreads Meetings across the country resolve to begin the revolution, and people seize Gessler’s fortresses.

Fortresses Taken The rising spreads Meetings across the country resolve to begin the revolution, and people seize Gessler’s fortresses. Freedom consolidated The Emperor’s death occupies his successor, and the Swiss become strong enough to resist later attack. The uprising succeeds through collective action and favorable timing.

Before the first audience

After both delegations fail

At the meadow, after the pole decree

After the apple challenge

The night Gessler’s death becomes known