The peasants in southern and western Germany were burdened by a number of grievances, including:
- High taxes and rents: The peasants had to pay high taxes to the nobles and the Church, as well as rent for the land they farmed.
- Serfdom: Many peasants were serfs, which meant they were tied to the land they farmed and could not leave without permission from their lord.
- Manorial justice: The peasants were subject to the manorial courts, which were controlled by the nobles and could be harsh and unjust.
- Enclosure of common lands: The nobles were increasingly enclosing common lands, which were traditionally used by the peasants for grazing and other purposes.
Luther's teachings
The Protestant Reformation, which began in 1517 with Martin Luther's 95 Theses, had a profound impact on the German peasantry. Luther's teachings emphasized the importance of faith and the priesthood of all believers, which challenged the traditional authority of the Church and the clergy. Many peasants interpreted Luther's teachings as a call for social as well as religious reform, and they began to demand greater rights and freedoms.
The Peasants' War
In 1524, the long-simmering resentment of the German peasants erupted in the Peasants' War. The war began with a series of local revolts, but it soon spread throughout southern and western Germany. The peasants were led by a variety of leaders, including Thomas Müntzer, a radical reformer, and Florian Geyer, a knight.
The peasants' demands were set out in the Twelve Articles of Memmingen, which called for the abolition of serfdom, the reduction of taxes and rents, and the free use of common lands. The peasants also demanded the right to elect their own priests and to have a say in government.
The Peasants' War was a bloody and destructive conflict. The peasants were ultimately defeated by a coalition of noble and imperial forces, and thousands were killed. However, the war had a lasting impact on German society and politics. It helped to bring about a number of reforms, including the abolition of serfdom and the reduction of taxes and rents. It also led to the rise of a more democratic form of government in Germany.