People's Catechism). The 1886 strikes led to the rapid expansion of the trade unions across Belgium. The Liberals also splintered politically, leading to the creation of a separate, new and more radical party, the Parti Progressiste under Paul Janson, which would remain separate until 1900. For the governing centre-right Catholic Party of Auguste Beernaert, the strikes led to a change of ideology towards social Catholicism. It was followed by further strikes in 1887, 1890 and 1891, as well as a general strike in 1893. In the aftermath of the strike, 27 supposed leaders (including Defuisseaux) were tried before the court of assizes in Mons in May 1889. Highly publicized, collapsed when it emerged that the Sûreté Publique had infiltrated the radical group, acting as agents provocateurs. See also General strikes in Belgium Bloody Sunday (1887) in the United Kingdom Belgium in the long nineteenth century References Bibliography External links Les émeutes ouvrières de mars 1886 at Charleroi-Decouverte (official website) History of Wallonia Anarchism in Belgium Socialism in Belgium 1886 labor disputes and strikes 1886 in Belgium Riots and civil disorder in Belgium Labour disputes in Belgium March 1886 events