The Protestant Reformation was the dawn of multiple ideas, as it inspired people to see the Roman Catholic Church in a new light. Multiple new religions were brought up and new philosophical thoughts were spawned. Then, along came the Peasants’ Revolt of 1524-1526 in Germany. This savage war was not only sprung up from the religious ideas of Martin Luther, but also from the dissatisfaction of peasants about their poor working conditions and the unfair treatment from their lords. German peasants had been displeased of their living conditions with being continuously faced with ludicrous feudal dues and state taxes. Upon hearing Martin Luther’s remarks, the peasants’ economic troubles and religious beliefs? combined to be the sparks that were …show more content…
Peasant leaders wrote the Twelve Articles of the Swabian Peasants (Doc. 2) in order to proclaim the of peasants’ major opinions such as “Lords should no longer try to force more services or other dues from peasants without compensation.” Because its sole purpose is to inform the people - whether it be other peasants or nobility - the articles popularize the opinions of unfairness among the town of Memmingen peasants. In the Articles of the Peasants of Memmingen (Doc 3), the peasants seem as if they are devising a compromise with God?. The article stated that, “We will be obedient to all authority appointed by God in all fair and reasonable matters, and we do not doubt that as Christian lords you will release us from serfdom.” Here, a mixture of economic unfairness are seen from the peasants’ disapproval of being treated as serfs to Martin Luther’s influence as they are following God’s will supposedly. Since both of these documents, 2 and 3, are written by peasant authority, it would be safe to assume that they are merely expressing their thoughts, which can be further articulated as the peasants’ reasons and motivation of the revolt. In Document 4, an open letter expresses the growing protest and is further publicizes the need for one to join it in the name of God. Written presumably by a religious peasant leader, it clearly shows a cause of the Peasants’ Revolt. It was Martin Luther’s perception of God that inspired peasants would “...hammer away on the princes and lords…” (Doc. 4) for. It is to do these reckless actions in the name of God, or more specifically, to follow in his