The Forgotten Revolution: The Peasants' War in the Palatinate is alive!

The Forgotten Revolution: The Peasants' War in the Palatinate is alive!

The Peasants' War that raged in the Palatinate 500 years ago will go down in history as one of the bloodiest revolts of the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation. On June 7, 2025, an article recalls the profound impact of this conflict, which also affected Alsace. Rheinpfalz addresses the achievements and suffering of farmers in a time of upheaval.

The German Peasants' War, which took place in the early 16th century, proved to be an example of the importance of historical hindsight. The bloody conflicts left behind not only countless deaths, but also a society that underwent significant changes in its class consciousness and views on authority. Martin Luther and Charles V play a central role in the story.

The role of Martin Luther

Martin Luther, who is considered one of the key figures of the Reformation, published his pamphlet “Against the murderous and predatory gangs of the farmers” in 1525. In this treatise, Luther took a clear position that contrasted sharply with the hopes of the rebellious peasants. The publication was created after the Weinsberg massacre on April 17, 1525, and in it Luther distanced himself from the revolutionary efforts of the farmers who falsely referred to him.

Luther encouraged the princes to violently crush the rebellious peasants, thereby exposing the fragile support he had previously received. So he made it clear: “You should smash them, choke them, stab them, secretly and publicly, whoever can, like you have to kill a crazy dog.” At this point, the defeat of the peasants was foreseeable, and the military efforts of the princes had already been increased.

Consequences and effects

The bloody conflicts and dramatic events of the Peasants' War had far-reaching consequences that also shape today's understanding of class conflicts and social movements. In this context, Georges Bischoff is also mentioned, who lived in the city of Strasbourg, which became an important player in these uncertain times. The regions of Lorraine and Upper Rhine were also heavily affected by the conflict and are still linked to historical stories today.

Looking back, we see how much the Peasants' War influenced the social and political structure of the time and continues to provide important lessons about revolutions and how to handle them to this day. The vivid depiction of the conflict in the Palatinate and Alsace encourages us to rethink the lessons of this “forgotten revolution” and to articulate its significance for today's society.