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Jacobin Radio
Long Reads: The German Peasants' War w/ Martin Empson
Oct 24, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Martin Empson, a writer and historian about to release his book on the German Peasants' War, dives into this pivotal uprising. He highlights how the Reformation ignited popular resistance against feudalism. The conversation unveils the complex socio-economic divides of pre-Reformation Germany, Martin Luther's pivotal influence, and how he ultimately sided with the ruling class despite initial sympathy for the peasants. Empson also explores the lasting legacies of this revolt in shaping revolutionary thought and class struggle.
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Quick takeaways
- The German Peasants' War represented the largest social revolt in pre-French Revolution Europe, highlighting deep-seated grievances against feudalism.
- Martin Luther's critique of the Catholic Church galvanized support and played a pivotal role in the growing rift within German society.
Deep dives
Context of Change in Early 16th Century Germany
In the early 16th century, Germany was experiencing significant social and economic transformations influenced by urban growth and emerging merchant classes. About 80-85% of the population were peasants, who faced exploitation under feudal laws, which were increasingly conflicting with the interests of a burgeoning bourgeois class seeking profit. These tensions led to a societal fracture highlighted by waves of local revolts and the eventual emergence of widespread discontent. By 1524, this discontent culminated in the German Peasants' War, signifying a major uprising against entrenched feudal structures.
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