Reformation DBQ Notes

• Do not restate the question
• Use a majority of the documents
• Show basic comprehension of each document
• Support the thesis with the aforementioned documents
• Analyze the documents and group them/compare them
• Account for author's bias and audience for each document

Analyze the causes of and the responses to the peasants' revolts in the German states, 1524-1526

In late 1524, peasants, craftsmen, and poor soldiers formed bands and pillaged throughout a large area of the Holy Roman Empire. During the revolt, some of the rebel bands authored statements of grievances called Articles. Although most bands did not coordinate their activities, several groups met in Memmingen, Swabia, during March 1525 at a gathering known as the Peasant Parliament. After a series of battles, the authorities managed to suppress the revolts. More than 100,000 rebels and others were killed.

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.

Source: Leonard von Eck, Chancellor of Batavria, report to Duke Ludwig of Batavia, February 15, 1525.

• von Eck heavily opposed the Reformation
• Blames Lutheran teachings for the revolts
• Argues that the peasants are revolting to meet selfish goals and to overthrow the nobility