Ciompi, Revolt of the

Ciompi, Revolt of the

(1378) Uprising of cloth workers and other craftsmen in Florence that brought a democratic government to power. A struggle between ruling factions triggered the rebellion, which was led by the ciompi (wool carders). The rebels demanded a more equitable fiscal policy and the right to establish guilds for those groups not already organized. They took over the government briefly, but worsening economic conditions and the combined efforts of the established guilds soon led to their ouster.