Luther and the Peasants
Sources A and B are useful when analysing Luther’s attitude towards the Peasant’s War, yet there are certain ways in which they do not entirely reflect his own views. As events unfolded during 1525, Luther’s attitudes to the peasants transformed, and this is demonstrated in the two sources. From the sources, it is clear that between March and May of 1525 Luther’s feelings about who was to blame for the actions of the peasants changed, showing that he initially believed they should not be blamed for the chaos that unfolded, but eventually came to the conclusion that their later actions were unnecessary and therefore condemns the peasants instead.
As this issue directly targets the views that Luther held in reference to the Peasant’s War, it is appropriate that all of the views expressed in the sources are those of Luther himself. As they are both the direct opinions of the man himself, and as Luther was never one to refrain from expressing his controversial feelings, it is fair to conclude that they give an accurate representation of Luther’s attitude at the time. The sources also reflect Luther’s view that unnecessary violence should be avoided, as although in Source A he gives the peasants the benefit of the doubt by stating that the princes and lords “deserve this judgement of God against them”, Source B shows that he felt the way in which the peasants chose to “rob and pillage and act like mad dogs”, which broke the promises they made, were uncalled for and so compares them with “disobedient wretches and scoundrels”. This evidence reinforces the view of many historians that Luther believed the peasants were simply using his words as justification for causing as much chaos as possible. Both sources are written to the same broad audience and use similarly strong language throughout, which would suggest that Luther was not holding back any of his strongest feelings, again acting as evidence to suggest that Luther was fully expressing his attitude towards the Peasant’s War. Ultimately, the sources coincide with Luther’s opinions at the time and so it would appear that they are a good reflection, yet as it is about to be made clear there are also ways in which the sources potentially do not give an entirely accurate overview.
