In 1525 the peasants in Germany revolted in response to changes invoked by the feudal lords that restricted traditional social and economic freedoms. In response to these changes, the peasants made the following demands.

1. It is our humble petition and desire . . . that in the future . . each community should choose and appoint a pastor, and that we should have the right to depose him should he conduct himself improperly.

2. We are ready and willing to pay the fair tithe of grain.. The small tithes [of cattle], whether [to] ecclesiastical or lay lords, we will not pay at all, for the Lord God created cattle for the free use of man..

3. We . . . 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.

4. It has been...