Mutiny in the Grand Duchy

In the winter of 1918–19, Luxembourg grappled with severe political and social upheaval, including unrest from failed communist uprisings, severe winter conditions, and the Spanish flu. Amidst this turmoil, the political instability and dissatisfaction with the ruling Grand Duchess escalated, leading to significant confrontations and uncertainty about the country's future.

Listen to this and more – such as Luxembourg's situation after World War I and referendum that preserved the Grand Duchy after the First World War – in this episode right here, or continue reading below.

Background

The winter of 1918-19 was an extremely difficult time in Luxembourg. As previously discussed, the end of the First World War had left Luxembourg under French occupation. There was a strong feeling of tension and guilt over the Luxembourgish government’s tacit acquiescence to German rule, especially in comparison with the young Luxembourgers who had signed up for the Allied armies to fight against the Kaiser’s forces.

It was not just the political situation that was proving a concern, however.

Severe winter conditions had left many Luxembourgers fearing a repeat of the previous year’s hunger. This fear led to widespread anger against merchants perceived as having profited from the war. Additionally, the Spanish influenza, which had reached the Grand Duchy in October 1918, reached the Grand Duchy in October 1918, had claimed an estimated 1,000 lives.

Patients suffering from the Spanish Flu in the US Army Field Hospital in Luxembourg. / © RTL Archives

Amid this turmoil, the country faced ongoing uncertainty regarding its political future, pushing Luxembourg to a critical juncture.

Boiling point

On 10 November 1918, just a day before the armistice ending the First World War, communists in Luxembourg City declared a republic, inspired by the Bolshevik example in Berlin.

This declaration was quickly suppressed, but the very next day, a similar uprising occurred in Esch-sur-Alzette. Although this attempt was also unsuccessful, it significantly undermined confidence in the Chamber of Deputies.

In response to the unrest, on November 12, the socialists and liberals in the Chamber proposed a motion calling for the abdication of Grand Duchess Marie Adelaide. This motion was narrowly defeated by 21 votes to 19, highlighting the Grand Duchess' precarious position.

The situation escalated in late December 1918 when Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Emile Reuter traveled to Paris for talks with French Foreign Minister Stephen Pichon. The talks were disastrous: Pichon initially refused to meet with Reuter and, when he did, made it clear that Luxembourg’s German-leaning princess was unacceptable. This message further fueled the opposition against Marie Adelaide.

This was a boon for opponents of Luxembourg’s royal family. The clear message from France was that Marie Adelaide had to go, but the question remained: who, or what, would replace her?

Back in Luxembourg, on 9 January 1919 Reuter relayed the situation to the Chamber of Deputies, and, admitting his failure, offered his resignation.

On January 9, 1919, Reuter relayed the failed negotiations to the Chamber of Deputies and offered his resignation. The liberals and socialists in the Chamber seized the opportunity to propose a motion for Luxembourg to become a republic. Outside, a crowd of approximately 2,000 people gathered at the barracks of Luxembourg’s military force, the Corps of Volunteers.

Emile Servais, a left-wing politician, stepped out and demanded a republic. This led to a full-blown mutiny when the Corps of Volunteers refused to disperse the crowd. The military’s mutiny, combined with the absence of right-wing deputies, resulted in the declaration of a Committee of Public Safety with Servais as President. The Committee declared the Republic of Luxembourg, but the fledgling republic faced immediate challenges.

Soldiers from Luxembourg's Corps of Volunteers, pictured here in 1910. / © Public domain

Crashing the mutiny

The key player in quelling the mutiny was the French occupying force under General de La Tour. Amid the confusion surrounding the events of the day, French troops were ordered to secure government buildings in Luxembourg City.

It’s still unclear exactly why the French intervened, but it’s worth remembering that governments and armies across Europe were terrified at the idea of socialist uprisings, following the example of the Bolsheviks in Russia. Not only that, but only four days previously, the Spartacist uprising led by Liebknecht and Luxemburg had taken over Berlin.

Rosa Luxemburg, the Polish-born leader of the Spartacist uprising in Berlin, which may have inspired events in Luxembourg - or their repression. / © RTL Archives

Whatever their motive, the well-armed and disciplined French troops moved swiftly to disperse and disarm the Luxembourgish Volunteers. They took charge of key government sites, including Place d’Armes, Place Guillaume, the Chamber of Deputies, and the barracks of the Corps of Volunteers, while banning any popular gatherings in the capital.

The French crackdown effectively crushed the so-called republic, which lacked popular support and legitimacy. With the mutiny suppressed, the right-wing deputies, now in control, saw only one viable course of action: the abdication of Grand Duchess Marie Adelaide.

On January 14, 1919, Marie Adelaide abdicated, and her sister Charlotte succeeded her the following day. The immediate political crisis was thus defused, but the uncertainty about Luxembourg’s future persisted. As we’ll explore next time, it would take a popular referendum to secure the dynasty that continues to rule Luxembourg today.

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