Pachtersoproer
The pachtersoproer was a Dutch rebellion in the 18th century. The origin of the uprising was to be found in the economic malaise of the 1740s as a result of the Austrian War of Succession. It was the system of commercial tax-collection called pacht that brought serious complaints, combined with deep dissatisfaction at the way in which the regents and the landed gentry exercised their power. Reasons The riots began in Friesland (Bergum) and Groningen in the spring of 1748 (March 17 in Groningen and in May). Its immediate cause was perhaps the birth of William V on March 8, 1748. The houses of the landadel (great-men) and the tax-collectors were ransacked, particularly those who had not sufficiently demonstrated their loyalty to the Orangist regime. In the city of Leeuwarden 72 points for reform were put forward. Frisian skippers brought the news to Amsterdam. On June 17 the Botermarkt, now Rembrandtplein, called together a crowd to offer such a threat that the collectors of the butter tax saw themselves forced out of office several hours earlier than normal to conclude a peace. The riots spread rapidly to Haarlem and Leiden. On June 23 the Stadholder forbade gatherings for plays and