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

We will not allow ourselves hereafther 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.

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

• Secretary to the Baltringer Haufen, a prominent peasant army during the conflict.
• Calls for a fairer contract between lords and peasants.
• The above was directly inspired from Lutheran teaching.
• Does not call for their murder or overthrow of their power.

Hitherto we have been held as your poor serfs, which is pitiable, given that Christ has purchases 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.

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

• Serfs wish to be free'd and treated under equal footing as all Christians should through Lutheran teaching
• Reaffirms again that Lutheran teachings was the push required for the Reformation
• Also does not violently revolt and calls for peaceful resolution unlike the radicals that are controversial at the time

On the article concerning serfdom: we, your lords, purchased this right for a considerable sum of money, and the serfdom of a Christian is no hindrance to the salvation of his soul. However, so that you, the subjects, may see and recognize the council's good will, the council will release and absolve its subjects from such serfdom that the council controls. In return the peasants shall pay us a reasonable sum of money.

Source: Reply of the Memmingen Town Council to the Articles of the Peasants of Memmingen, March 15, 1525.

• Bullshit, reasonable my ass.
• This is an obvious ploy to lure the peasants from rebellion and turn them from slaves to wageslaves lol.

The peasants arrived so unexpectedly that the count and his subordinates could not return to the castle and had to remain in town with the citizens. The peasants scaled the castle walls, captured the countess and her children, plundered the castle, and then appeared before the town. The townsfolk were peasant supports. They opened the gates and towers to the peasants and let them in.

Source: Pastor Johann Herolt, report of the events at Weinsburg, April 16, 1525.

• A “count” is a title of nobility
• The idea of this document was that the nobility was powerless against their citizens and serfs rising against them in union.

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!

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

• Thomas Muntzer was a Radical Reformist preacher, he openly opposed both Luther and the Catholic church
• He opposed Luther because of his compromises that allowed for the feudal system in Lutheranism.
• He became a leader of the German Peasants' War, but was captured and executed in the Battle of Frankenhausen.
• He believed the Peasants' War to be the end of the world, and pushed for true believers to aid God and “usher a new era of history.”