Title: Martin Luther and Peasants Revolt in Germany in 1524-1525 Example | Graduateway
Headings: Martin Luther and Peasants Revolt in Germany in 1524-1525
Martin Luther and Peasants Revolt in Germany in 1524-1525
Prof. Shack
English, History, Political Science, Philosophy, Psychology, Literature
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Content: In response to the renowned Twelve Articles of the Christian Union of Upper Swabia, more often recalled as The Twelve Articles of the Black Forest, Luther published his Admonition to Peace in which he called upon the lords to be considerable and even directly blaming them as the reason for the revolt: “ we have no one on earth to thank for this disastrous rebellion except you princes and lords… as temporal rulers you do nothing but cheat and rob the people so that you may lead a life of luxury and extravagance. The poor common people cannot bear it any longer” [6]. He called upon both princes and peasants to act as good Christians, at that explaining the peasants that they have to obey the authorities. Such surprising Luther’s position is nevertheless explainable by several reasons. Firstly, Luther was personally dependent on the princes. In his confrontation with the Catholic Church, he relied upon German rulers and took refuge in their castles. The second reasons were the needs of Protestantism, which took roots between the feudals and in the cities. The latter wanted moderate reforms, while peasants represented and anarchical power, which could sweep away the early modest achievements of Luther’s teaching and likely cause a crusade like the Hussite wars. Support of peasants would make the nobility to stagger back from Luther, making the success of possible crusade inevitable [7].