Andreas Hofer

Hofer, Andreas 

Born Nov. 22, 1767, in St. Leonhard; died Feb. 20, 1810. in Mantua. Tirolean national hero who in 1809 headed a liberation uprising of peasants against French and Bavarian occupation forces.

In 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars, Tirol was taken from Austria by Napoleon and given to France’s ally. Bavaria. In 1809. Hofer, a tavern keeper, headed the uprising, the plan of which was worked out in collaboration with the Austrian government in an attempt to regain Tirol. The rebel victory at Isel Mountain (May 1809) led to the liberation of Tirol from the Bavarians. Hofer continued the struggle even after the Austrian government signed a truce with France (July 1809), which provided for the return of Tirol to Bavaria and, as a result of victories in August, once again liberated Tirol. He became the de facto ruler of Tirol, while remaining loyal to the Austrian authorities. After concluding the Peace of Schönbrunn (October 1809). Napoleon directed a large military force against the Tirolean peasants and crushed their resistance. Hofer fled from Tirol but was betrayed to the French and shot.

REFERENCES

Paulin. K. Das Leben Andreas Hofers .... 3rd ed. Innsbruck [1959].
Hochenegg, H. Bibliographie zur Geschichte der Tiroler Freiheilskampfes von 1809. Innsbruck-Vienna, 1960.