THE GERMAN PEASANTS' WAR or  REVOLUTION OF 1525

Precedents:  1493 Bundschuh (League of the Shoe)
           1514 Arme Konrad (Poor Konrad) movement

Causes: Increase in taxation at all levels:
            Empire, Princes, landlords (feudal dues), church tithes

TWELVE ARTICLES OF THE SWABIAN PEASANTRY: 1525
       drafted by Lutheran pastor & artisan
      appeal to 1) customary law   ("old written law”, “way things were”)
                       2) Godly law :  Scripture, Christian freedom
                       religious demands: Reformation, choose pastors
                       economic demands: common lands, tithes, end of serfdom  

LUTHER'S RESPONSE TO PEASANT REVOLT :
      distinction between two kingdoms (zwei Reiche) : based on
       St. Augustine:  heavenly kingdom versus earthly kingdom
       State: all power is of God;   peasants must submit to authority

     Luther's   treatises on Peasants' War of 1525:

     Friendly Admonition to Peace concerning the 12 Articles
                  defensive: need to separate Reformation & himself from revolt
                  explanation of "calling": only princes can wield the sword

     Against the Robbing Murdering Hordes of Peasants
        response to the sacking of Erfurt
        personal attack on Thomas Muntzer

Result:
      Lutheranism permanently identified with German princes;
      loss of revolutionary illusions among peasantry
      1526 Diet of Speyer:
              12 Articles submitted as Grievances of peasantry;
                                   some issues addressed, but