At the end of the 18th century, a major takeover took place in the Netherlands. In more and more cities, the patriots had gradually taken over power in the city councils from the orangist regime.
They demanded open government and enforced the capture or compliance with regulations. Combating corruption and elite formation in pub;ic administration was their main goal. The patriots wanted a ‘people’s government by representation’.
Etching, made by T. de Roode in 1790
The city hall of Rotterdam, where on 3 April 1787 a number of orangist city administrators were deposed by a patriotic exercise society. The event marks the rise of the patriot movement at the end of the 18th century.
