causes and responses of the peasant revolts

The Peasants' revolts in 1524-1526 were caused by three main reasons: most peasants revolted in the name of Christianity, because of the Lutheran teachings of individual rights and the godly equality of all people, while others because of either the seek to end oppression from their tyrant lords, or because of financial trouble. As for responses, there was great variety in different groups, some, in favor of peace, proposed ideas that seemed reasonable but were deceiving, and others out of either whole-hearted support or complete condemnation of the peasants. The majority of the peasants pressed that their actions were based on the christian, (Lutheran), teachings brought on by the Protestant Reformation. This can be seen in documents 3, and 8. In document 3, the peasant speaker states, with clear Lutheran views, that they have a godly equality that portrays they are as holy as the emperor, and that he should free them. This shows that the Protestant Reformation was indeed a cause of the revolts. However, the peasants showed Christian behavior, as to not be hypocritical, and were first willing to ask the government for help before using acts of violence to be heard. In document 8, Lorenz Fries suggests that the peasants, with the ideas skewed in the Protestant Reformation, had radical ideas that, because of godly equality, the government and peasants, being brethren to one another, should share their wealth amongst each other. These ideas of social equality came from those of religious equality of the Reformation. However, Fries has the bias of writing to a Duke, who was possibly effected by the Peasant Revolts, so the truth among the words is not truly defined. As well as being caused from ideology of the Reformation, peasants revolted not only because of their new christian stand-points, but because of the offenses done to them by these nobles, bringing the want for vengeance on their lords. This can be seen in documents 2, and 9. In document 2 it states, in a peasantry article, that Peasants, again with Reformation ideology, will serve the lord to an extent, but will no longer stand the offenses committed to them by these lords. Such as the forcing of more service and dues without compensation, and the peasants should help the lord when convenient to them, or receive compensation for the deed. In document 9, its tells that although the peasants are not entirely in the right, there were clear offenses committed toward the peasants and that the rulers should protect their subjects rather than attack them. The authors of these passages show little bias as both are concerned with peace between both lords and peasants. As for responses, the variety of viewpoints was very significant in this time. One response to the revolts was one that was made to seem as a resolution of the revolts, but actually did not accomplish anything for the peasants. This is clearly demonstrated in documents 4 and 12. In document 4 it states a supposable “solution” to the peasants trouble without causing upset to the nobles, but by offering the ability to purchase a life other than serfdom with a reasonable amount of money, does not do much for the peasants, as very, very few have funds suitable for this luxury. In document 12 it offers a graciously portrayed gesture of instead of facing punishment for their “unchristian” actions, peasants will have the option to surrender and return to their previous state of serfdom. These two documents have the similar bias of seeming resolving, while they are just restating the old social status. While some responses were made trying to restore the status quo by seeming reasonable, others were saw to have been whole heartedly against or supporting the revolts. This is pressed in documents 6, and 7. In document 6, it shows an author rooting on the peasant revolts with an overabundance of excitement and inspiration. The theologian preacher exclaiming to the peasants to “hammer away on the anvils of the princes and lords”, and to “cast down their towers to the ground.” The author was clearly demonstrating bias that presented itself to him as “God’s will.” However, responses also came from the opposite angle of view. Document 7, demonstrates the complete opposite stating “peasants forgot their place, violently took matters into their own hands… and are raging like mad dogs.” However, the source cannot be seen as entirely reliable, as Martin Luther was seeking alliance with the nobles in pursuit of destroying the Roman Catholic church. Document 11 can be used as equally reliable, because it has slight bias because the letter was written to a duke. It portrays the lords as victims by pointing peasants out as guilty enemies. These documents truly press the variety of responses to an extremist supporter of the peasant revolts, or just the opposite. In result, the causes of the peasant revolts was a contribution of newly brought on, reformation ideology, as well as the seek of overcoming their lords, guilty of oppressing them in their serfdom that brought on the revolts. In response, some viewpoints were pointed extremely in single direction and some, in pursuit of restoring the traditional social status, only used deceiving tactics to trick peasants into seeing their favorable solution.