The iron hand for the rebels: the Romanian government's prompt action in crushing the peasant revolt. Infantry escorting prisoners through Piatra, Neamtu. The revolt began in March 1907 mainly caused by the peasant population's discontent about the inequality of land ownership in Romania. Thousands of people died when the Romanian army was mobilised to put down the insurrection. The ILN here says that 'the Roumanian Government showed considerable promptness in dealing with the peasant revolt...the rioters have expressed regret for their "madness".'