The Twelve Articles of the Peasants, 1525

Short-answer questionAbout 13 minutes · 3 points

Source 1

The Twelve Articles, demands drawn up for the rebel peasants of Swabia in southern Germany at the start of the German Peasants' War, March 1525

The First Article. First, it is our humble petition and desire . . . that in the future we should have power and authority so that each community should choose and appoint a pastor, and that we should have the right to depose him should he conduct himself improperly. . . . The Third Article. It has been the custom hitherto for men to hold us as their own property, which is pitiable enough, considering that Christ has delivered and redeemed us all, without exception, by the shedding of his precious blood, the lowly as well as the great. Accordingly it is consistent with Scripture that we should be free and should wish to be so. Not that we would wish to be absolutely free and under no authority. . . . We therefore take it for granted that you will release us from serfdom as true Christians, unless it should be shown us from the gospel that we are serfs.

(A) Briefly describe ONE way the authors of the excerpt used religious arguments to support their demands. 1 point

(B) Briefly explain ONE way the ideas of Martin Luther contributed to the demands expressed in the excerpt. 1 point

(C) Briefly explain ONE way political or religious authorities in the Holy Roman Empire responded to challenges such as the one in the excerpt in the period 1525 to 1555. 1 point