Title: The Reformation's Impact on Germany: The Peasant Wars - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com
Headings: The Reformation's Impact on Germany: The Peasant Wars
The Reformation's Impact on Germany: The Peasant Wars
Lesson Transcript
The Protestant Reformation
Luther Ignites a Revolt
The Peasant Wars
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The Reformation's Impact on Germany: The Peasant Wars
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Content: After taking over the town of Weinsberg, the peasants captured the castle and forced the ruling Count and about 70 other nobles to run a gauntlet of pikes, which meant to run between two lines of men with swords continuously attacking their victims. However, at Frankenhausen, thousands of peasants faced a prince's army along with mercenaries. Without adequate weaponry and leadership, thousands of peasants were slaughtered. The nobles became more reliant upon the ruling princes who may have been the only beneficiaries of the wars. As the Peasant Wars came to an end, the peasants were again placed under strict regulations by their oppressors. Luther admired the peasants for their ceaseless work in a harsh economy. He offered strict criticism to nobles for the unjust way they treated their workers. The peasant uprisings were condemned by Luther, however, who was against the violent acts of the peasants. Peasants claimed they had biblical authority to demand economic reform, but Luther also disagreed with this claim. He became so disgusted with the violence of the uprising he encouraged German princes to defeat the peasants to protect their authority.