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Popular Politics: The German Peasants War
The European World 2 March 2017
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Oxfordshire Uprising: largely contained
German Peasants War: What happens when unrest spread , enormous revolt that engulfed center of HRE Tied to major economic, social, and religious stresses.
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Stühlingen
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Background to Unrest Peasants’ common rights under attack Serfdom
Not ‘bound to soil’ serfdom—some freedom of movement—but severe legal restrictions tied to residency. Different applications in different areas: vagaries of HRE. In worst areas, included heavy taxes/fines, requirements for estate work, and even lords’ permission to take legal action (including marriage). Not ‘time out of mind’—new serfdom. Economy recovering from Black Death—surplus of labor. Expansion of seigniorial power.
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Summer 1524 Conflict between the countess of Lupfen (ruler of Stühlingen) and peasants not unusual. Throughout 1400s, Herrschaftsvertrag (treaty of lordship) had routinely been negotiated, outlining rights and privileges of lords in various areas. First step of peasants was not armed revolt: was instead recourse to courts (after gathered protest with list of grievances.). Case scheduled to be heard in court of chancery in spring 1525.
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Complicating Factor: Reformation
Reformed religion growing in popularity. Black Forest close to the Swiss cantons, where Ulrich Zwingli preached from Zürich. Zwingli more radical than Luther; his followers often more radical than he. Anti-tithe, anti-serfdom: rhetoric of liberty based in theological reading.
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How religious were the early rebels?
Very unclear: most tracts written after the Peasants’ War. Historians not in agreement. Tom Scott: ‘Actions…speak louder than words’ Radical preacher in nearby village of Waldshut who spoke out against tithes and lordship. Not an empty threat: nearby abbey was sacked that summer after encouragement by radical preaching. During summer 1524, two armed marches by peasants from Stühlingen to Waldshut. True faith or leveraging?
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Autumn 1524 Rejected any form of negotiation that included an oath of fealty. Hans Müller, serf and leader, embarked on marches with armed peasants throughout region. Open revolt sprang up in nearby provinces. No religious rhetoric as legitimization in these early Black Forest revolts.
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Winter 1525 Revolts in Upper Swabia religious from the outset.
Tying together of economic, political, and religious concerns. Lay leaders—many of them craftspeople (e.g. blacksmith, furrier)—fueled rebellion with religious rhetoric. One refused to go to chancery as it was a secular court; instead, should be heard by divine law ‘that pronounces to each estate what it must do or not do’ Regional bands of armed peasants joined together into larger bands: e.g. Christian Union of Upper Swabia.
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Twelve Articles March 1525 peasant representatives gathered to present grievances against the Swabian League. Twelve Articles were articulations of their concerns and demands. Printed and spread throughout region: over 25,000 copies.
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List of Demands End of serfdom and economic subjugation
“It is consistent with Scripture that we should be free and wish to be so.” No extortionate rents; no oppressive laws. Restoration of old communal rights and creation of new common rights. Old: should be able to glean firewood, have their common fields. New: should be able to hunt and fish at will Control over religion Should not have to pay a corrupted tithe; should be able to appoint own ministers.
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Battles Peasants opposed by local nobles and allies: Swabian League.
No one set of leaders on either side: Made it hard for peasants to win, but also hard for them to lose. Defeats often sparked uprisings in other areas. Georg, Truchsess of Waldburg, Scourge of the Peasants
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Two Responses Martin Luther Thomas Müntzer
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Two Responses Martin Luther Thomas Müntzer
Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants ‘The peasants have taken upon themselves the burden of three terrible sins against God and man…they cloak this terrible and horrible sin with the gospel... thus they become the worst blasphemers of God and slanderers of his holy name.’ ‘Help us in any way you can, with men and with cannon, so that we can carry out the commands of God himself in Ezekiel 14, where he says: ‘I will rescue you from those who lord it over you in a tyrannous way
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Ramifications of Unrest
To a great extent, a failure for the peasants: 100,000 or more died in the fighting Most of their demands not met ‘Magisterial Reformation’: controlling religion However, a terrifying example for other leaders Other radical movements quickly squashed or negotiated with. Münster Rebellion (1534): allied Lutherans and Catholics Some landlords responded harshly to future rumors of unrest. In other areas, like Tyrol, Landschaft (peasant representative bodies) set up; in still others, including that ruled by Georg of Waldburg, harshest forms of serfdom abolished.
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