German Peasant Revolt DBQ

Doc 1

Source: Leonhard von Eck, Chancellor of Bavaria, report to Duke Ludwig of Bavaria, February 15, 1525.

This rebellion has been undertaken to repress the princes and the nobility and has its ultimate source in Lutheran teaching, for the peasants relate the majority of their demands to the Word of God, the Gospel, and brotherly love. The peasants are blinded, led astray, and made witless. If these peasants promised today that they would give their lords no further trouble, they could change their minds within an hour.

Doc 2

Source: Sebastian Lotzer, craftsperson and lay preacher, and Christoph Schappeler, preacher from Memmingen, Twelve Articles of the Swabian Peasants, March 1, 1525.

We will not allow ourselves hereafter to be oppressed by our lords but will let them demand only what is just and proper according to the agreement between lords and peasants. Lords should no longer try to force more services or other dues from peasants without compensation. Peasants should, however, help lords when it is necessary and at proper times when it does not disadvantage the peasant and for a suitable compensation.

Doc 3

Source: Peasant Parliament of Swabia to the Memmingen Town Council, from Articles of the Peasants of Memmingen, March 3, 1525.

Hitherto we have been held as your poor serfs, which is pitiable, given that Christ has purchased and redeemed us with His precious blood, just as He has the Emperor. But it is not our intention to reject all authority. 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.

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Source: Thomas Müntzer, preacher and theologian, open letter to the people of Allstedt, April 27, 1525.

How long are you going to resist God’s will? The whole of Germany, France, and Italy are awake. Four abbeys were laid waste during Easter week. More peasants in the Black Forest have risen, 3,000 strong! Hammer away on the anvils of the princes and lords, cast down their towers to the ground!

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Source: Martin Luther, theologian, Against the Murdering, Thieving Hordes of Peasants, Wittenberg, May 1525.

The peasants forgot their place, violently took matters into their own hands, and are robbing and raging like mad dogs. It is clear that the assertions they made in their Twelve Articles were nothing but lies presented under the name of the Gospel. This is particularly the work of that devil, Thomas Müntzer, who rules at Mühlhausen. The peasants are not content with belonging to the devil themselves; they force and compel many good people to join their devilish league. Anyone who consorts with them goes to the devil with them and is guilty of all the evil deeds that they commit.

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Source: Caspar Nützel, Nürnberg town councilor, letter to Duke Albert of Prussia, August 5, 1525.

May God grant that the peace be preserved. It is indeed true that the poor, blind, and ignorant peasants have overstepped the mark with their unseemly behavior. No reasonable person could deny how unreasonably, unchristian, indeed, how excessively the authorities have torn out the hair of their subjects, whom they should aid, defend, and rule rather than fleece.

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Source: Decree of the Imperial Diet* of Speyer, August 27, 1526.

In the last year, terrible, unprecedented, and unchristian rebellion by subjects occurred through almost all parts of southern Germany. Therefore his Imperial Majesty expressly commanded that earnest examination be made so that such disturbance and rebellion be prevented in the future. The common man rather grievously forgot himself in the recent disturbance and acted violently against his authorities. In order that he might perceive that the grace and compassion of his superiors is greater and milder than his senseless deeds and actions, each authority shall have power to restore to their previous honorable estate those subjects who have surrendered unconditionally and been punished.

*The formal assembly of imperial councilors and officials advising Emperor Charles V