Inspired by the teachings of Luther that preached individual salvation with God and open interpretation to the bible, German peasants drew up a manifesto in 1524 that demanded relief from their landlords’ domination.
Intro
· Luther was merely preoccupied with the individual’s relationship with God and attaining salvation through good deeds
· He did not intend to spark a social revolution, and he feared that the peasants would deracinate the whole social hierarchy if not stopped
· The peasants were crushed by the lord’s vengeful armies because they were more skilled soldiers
Twelve Articles
· First Article- pretense to the rest: the peasants no longer wanted to be governed by a corrupt and immoral upper-class and clergy
· Second Article- They will no longer pay unseemly tithes which are of man’s invention
· Third Article- Demand to be released from serfdom, unless it should be shown in the gospel that they are serfs (which it did not), and the acknowledgement that the Bible only preaches humbleness towards other, not obedience to authorities
· Tenth Article- Dissatisfaction by the appropriation by individuals of meadows and fields which at one time belonged to a community
· Eleventh Article- Demand for the abolishment of the death tax (which the peasants believe robbed widows and orphans against God’s will)
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