CLEP Western Civ I

Answer: D - Martin Luther initially hoped there would be a middle ground that would allow the peasants and nobles resolve the German Peasants’ War (1525) peacefully, but when he learned of the vicious atrocities that the peasants were committing in his name, he gave his full and vehement support to the noblemen. The German peasants interpreted Luther’s stance against Church authority to mean that he opposed all authority, and they felt that his writings were a rallying cry for them to revolt against the nobles. That was not the case. Luther was disgusted when he learned of the violent means the peasants were employing in the conflict. He wrote Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants to express his disdain for their actions.