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The Reformation Dbq

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During the late 15th and early 16th centuries, the countries of Europe began to develop a rift. This was caused by a movement known as the Reformation. The Reformation was jump-started by the posting of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses. Luther urged for the reform of the Catholic Church and its ideas. The proponents of his reform convinced many of the common people to reconsider the foundations of their religious beliefs, as well as the structures of their communities. In 1520, Luther was excommunicated from the Catholic Church, and he and his followers – the majority of whom were peasants - became known as Protestants. Inspired by Luther and his ideas, the peasants revolted against their lords. Initially arising as a call for change and justice, the peasant revolt took a violent turn and brought to light the contrasting views and values of Christianity, which ultimately led to the destruction of a unified Catholic Church and Europe. Clergy supporting …show more content…

An important figure during this time period was Thomas Müntzer. He was a priest and theologian who merged religious reform with social revolution. Although the movement was inspired by the ideas of Martin Luther, Müntzer preached equally against the Church and Luther, as he believed that they had humbled themselves to lay authorities. In an open letter to the people of Allstedt in 1525, Müntzer wrote, “How long are you going to resist G-d’s will?” (Document 6) Describing the chaos that had occurred during the Holy Easter week, he encouraged the peasants to further revolt: “Hammer away on the anvils of the princes and lords, cast down their towers to the ground!” What started off as a call for justice and rights, resulted in a violent, bloody, and thoughtless attack. Müntzer used religion to gain new recruits, but what Eck had said ended up true. As time went on, the peasants were “blinded, led astray, and made

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