1524 German Peasant Revolt DBQ

At the year 1524, Martin Luther, a significant figure in the Reformation and the founder of Lutheranism, had just finished hiding in Frederick the Wise’s Saxony castle after the Edict of Worms declared that he was an “outlaw” of the Holy Roman Empire. Luther’s action that led up to this event was the publication of the 95 Theses in 1517, which denounced indulgences and attacked the corruption of the papacy. Luther was able to remain hidden due to the extreme decentralization of the Holy Roman Empire. Emperor Charles V could not devote much of his attention to Luther, as he was controlling Spain, The Holy Roman Empire, and the New World. Furthermore, he was fighting two wars: the Habsburg-Valois Wars, and the war against the Ottoman Empire.

The nobility primarily believed that the revolt was unnecessary and condemned the actions of the peasants. In response to the Peasant Parliament of Swabia’s “Articles of the Peasants of Memmingen”, the Memmingen Town Council stated that “the serfdom of a Christian is no hindrance to the salvation of his soul” (Doc 3) The Town Council is effectively stating here that religion is not a just reason for rebellion. It is safe to assume from that statement that they believe that the Peasant Revolt lacked a reason and was unnecessary. As this reply is from a town council, the point of view of this document is highly reliable and would align with the point of view of the members on the council, the lords/nobility. Another response to the revolts from a members of the nobility was from the Imperial Diet, the advisors of Emperor Charles V (Doc 7). Their point of view is extremely credible because the Imperial Diet was composed of significant figures of the nobility that had a large influence of the actions of the Emperor, the highest position of nobility that existed at this time. The Imperial Diet stated that the rebellions were “unchristian” and that the “common man rather grievously forgot himself.” This echoes the common theme of condemnation among the nobility. While some nobles responded by openly condemning the rebellion, others were forced to join it. As a nobleman, Christoffel von Lichtenstein, states, he was forced to “swear an oath of allegiance” to the rebelling peasants (Doc 6). He also says that many other nobles joined the rebellion because “no help … would come from the prince” and did it to save their lives. This supports the idea that the nobles were outnumbered and had no choice but to join the peasants. However, the point of view of this document may contain bias; Christoffel von Lichtenstein was legally pleading to his superior that he had no choice but to swear allegiance to the peasants.