My intention is that the main village where the insurrection started shall be burnt, and that thirty of the ringleaders shall be shot; an impressive example is needed to contain the hatred of the peasantry and of that soldiery. If you have not yet made an example, let there be one without delay… Let not the month pass without the principal village, borough, or small town which gave the signal for the insurrection being burned, and a large number of individuals being shot… Traces must be left in the cantons which have rebelled.
Napoleon Bonaparte
“Cantons”? From when he occupied Switzerland?
Well, maybe but could some of the small German states have had cantons? And since this is a translation from French maybe canton is a word choice. I’d have to go back to the source materials. And right now I can’t do anything because of time commitments. But it’s a good guess.
If memory serves, when the Nazis tried this it only solidified opposition.
Yeah it tends to heighten resistance in some groups.