Luther in Relation to the Peasants' War

Introduction
In 1524-1526, many peasant revolts were held within the German states. This was predominately due to a strong influence of Lutheran ideals, as well as, peasants standing up for their belief of fair and reasonable authority under Christian rulers. There was a broad range of responses to the revolts. Many viewed with a compromising, open-mind, while others were brutally pessimistic toward the peasant’s attempts. Although, a fair number of nobles in the German states recognized the peasant plea of grievances against their lords as rightful, the founder of the Lutheran branch of Protestantism, Martin Luther, sided harshly against the peasants.
Religious Influences
The primary influence of the peasant revolts was religious. Through religion, and the nobles, many attempted to maintain a status quo by defining God’s will through their point of view. In March of 1525, the Peasant Parliament of Swabia wrote to the Memmingen Town Council. The parliament stated their religious view that both the peasants and the Emperor have been redeemed with His precious blood. They believe that the “Christian Lords”, will release them from serfdom, and they will be willingly obedient to “fair and reasonable” authority (Doc 3). Through a 3rd party, the peasants explained their grievances and made a point of compromising. A letter written to the people of Allstedt, from the preacher Thomas Muntzer, expressed “God’s will” to be the uprising of peasants through the revolt. He pushed the people of Allstedt to conform to the peasant’s violent resistance of serfdom (Doc 6). This theologians biased view of religious ideology, intensely recruited those in favor of the revolt. The Town Council of Memmington replied to an article concerning serfdom, by reminding the serfs that “the serfdom of a Christian is no hindrance to the salvation of his soul”. They paid large sums of money for the serfs, and under the “council’s good will”, they should pay large sums to be released from serfdom (Doc 4). Although, the council did not agree to release them from serfdom, they agreed that if compensated for their economic investments, they would be set free.
Oppression of Nobility Another leading cause of the peasant revolts was the oppression of nobility. Twelve Articles of the Swabian Peasants says, “let them demand only what is just and proper” (Doc 2). Boldly written by the peasants themselves, this document expresses that they will not stand to be oppressed by their lords anymore. They desire monetary compensation for their services. The Archbishop of Wurzburg received a secret report, from his chief advisor Lorenz Fries, stating that the poor and the rich should share their wealth since they are “brothers with one another” (Doc 8). Once this proposal spread, many of the nobles that were for the revolt began to second guess the effects of the outcome of the serfs uprising. The Nurnberg town councilor, Caspar Nutzel, wrote a letter in agreeing that the authorities have been treating their serfs unfair, unreasonably, and unchristian (Doc 9). However, with him being a noble himself, he also agrees that the peasants have overstepped their boundaries.
Clergy Response
Through the various responses to the serf revolt of the 1520’s, the clergy response was by far the broadest. Some preachers agreed to a compromising submission to authority if the lords seized their oppression of unfair labor. While at the same time, other clergy violently and single-mindedly fought for their view to the end. Two preachers, from the Twelve Articles of the Swabian Peasants, said, “peasants should, however, help lords when it is necessary and at proper times”. They also minded the fact that the help should not disadvantage the peasant and that the peasant should receive a “suitable compensation” (Doc 2). Obviously, these particular clergy members were tolerable of the uprising and compromising of either side to hold peace. A preacher, Thomas Muntzer, violently used God’s will to persuade the people of a town to join the uprising with the serfs (Doc 6). Being a preacher, he viewed the uprising as a will by God to break the chains of the peasant serfs. Martin Luther, founder of Lutheranism, ironically, and firmly sides against the peasants in their revolt. Martin says, “The peasants forgot their place” and they “are robbing and raging like mad dogs” (Doc 7). Although peasants base their ideology from Martin Luther’s teachings, he states that anyone who contorts with them goes to the devil and is guilty of their same sins.
Conclusion
The peasant revolts within the German states were caused essentially by an increase of new religious influence, as well as, unchristian economic situations. Both sides of the uprising over stepped their boundaries and violently disgraced their cause. Although the causes were evident, the responses widely varied throughout the peasants, nobles, and clergy. Through the varied responses of the revolt, the answer the causes were dragged out and reached well after they should have been. Negotiable noblemen would have been able to end the uprising quickly.