Peasants in Southern Germany took heed of Luthers call for religious reform and extended it to include a call for social reform as well. The peasants overthrew the local government in Muhlhausen and demand an end to serfdom, feudal dues and tithes. The uprising was violent and between 100 and 150 thousand peasants are killed inlcuding 5,000 killed by an army of Philip, Landgrave of Hesse who finally end the rebellion on May 14, 1525. Its leader Thomas Muntzer is beheaded. |