Rebellious salt workers

From appealing to rebelling

In 1693, the salt workers in Ebensee, Ischl and Hallstatt appealed to the Court Chamber, as hunger and dysentery were rampant, the pans could no longer be operated and the debasement of the coinage had devalued the money. Vienna hardly reacted, apart from a few alms.

It was not until 1717 that scurvy broke out in Aussee and Vienna recognised the danger. This time, medical treatment and medicines were ordered for the sick.

In 1718, Aussee reported women and children begging from the labourers. The distress in the Salzkammergut was repeated, the officials were powerless as the Court Chamber tied their hands. The labourers' petitions were supported by the Gmunden Salt Office, but not by the Court Chamber in Vienna. The hardship and overcrowding led to labour unrest.

As long as every worker was valuable for the imperial labour, the Salzkammergut was not spared hardship and hunger, but it was free of unrest.

In the 18th century, rationalisation measures, the reduction in the number of workers, the rejection of older and weaker workers and cuts in pensions and doctors' salaries led to unrest and conflict. The local officials were against these changes.

From 1733, the workers began to rebel. The workers in Ischl revolted in 1733 when their paid day off on Shrove Tuesday was cancelled. They left work, gathered in front of the town hall and complained.

In times of great famine, the Kammergut remained calm, but a revolt broke out over a minor cut. Even lumberjacks and shipbuilders in Ebensee joined in and caused, according to authorities, punitive rebellion and tumultuous behaviour.