Even during the 30 Years War, there had been sporadic and scattered rural uprisings in protest against heavy taxes which the city cantons attempted to impose on their rural subjects.

However, matters came to a head in February 1653, when the authorities in Bern and Lucerne devalued their currencies, sparking revolt which spread also to Solothurn and Basel. The protest was shortlived: by the end of June the authorities had regained the upper hand. The leaders of the revolt were severely punished.