Zane Blevins
Dr. Erin Jordan
3/4/18
A causal relationship existed between the German Reformation and the Peasants’ War. The decentralized foundation of government where power was held by local princes and royalty allowed both movements to gain traction. The reformation and rebellion took place in a time of transition marked by discontent in the Holy Roman Empire. An increase in population, unfavorable economic conditions for peasants caused by a shift to a merchant capitalist society and lord’s enforcing laws of serfdom that had been previously relaxed all led to the socioeconomic condition of unrest that allowed the reformation and Peasants’ War to occur. Martin Luther, outraged with the church practice of the sale of indulgences composed his ninety-five theses leading to the release of suppressed frustration of the laity and eventually a division from the Catholic Church. By 1520 Luther had wrote three treatises that
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Luther writes “Enough has now been said about the failings of the clergy…..We shall now devote a section to the failings of the temporal estate.” Luther denounces the practice of purchasing annuities, which forced many peasants to lose their land, and excesses in dress and possessions among the nobility. Though Luther was calling for Godly self-regulation amongst the nobility, it is easy to see how the impoverished could interpret his writings as a call to rise against the nobility. Though he condemns the actions of the peasants revolting in Admonition to Peace: A Reply to the Twelve Articles April 1525 Luther also provides fuel to the peasants’ rebellion in his letter To the Princes and Lords. Luther writes “In addition, 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