German Peasant Revolt DBQ
The German peasants of the 1524-1526 revolts were caused by interpretations of Lutheran ideals, the peasants desires to break free from serfdom, and the general search for equality in the eyes of god. The response to the peasant revolts varied among the social, political, and religious affiliations, ranging from cruel condemnation to fervent support of their cause. The rebels organized swiftly and fought hard, this determination helped achieve social reform, which the most important German reformer, Martin Luther, was completely opposed to.
Though the revolts were blamed on Lutheran reforms (Doc 1), Luther himself vehemently refuted the dispute (Doc 7). He refers to the peasants as dogs and is generally cruel towards their cause. Though a religious reformer, his dependence on the German nobility would not allow him to support the peasants; therefore his point of view is one in support of quelling the rebellions. The peasants may not have had the support of their greatest religious inspiration but they still drew on his word in order to justify their fight. The peasants claim that because all men are equal under the eyes of god, they have just as much divine right as the nobles do (Doc 3). These religious drives were set out in the Articles of The Peasants of Memmingen and would be responded to by the nobles, thus connecting Docs 3 and 4.
The nobles would retort to the religious grounds of the peasants by ensuring them that their salvation was not under question, but it would be if they not fall into their proper order and pay the dues owed to the lords (Doc 4). Thomas Muntzer would go as far to say that it was “God’s will” that the peasants revolt (Doc 6). Muntzer was extremely vehement in Doc 6, this passion shows point of view, since he is theologian meaning he is well versed and read and therefore chooses to use this passion to