Department
History and Political Science
Major
History
Research Advisor
Bruening, Michael W. (Michael Wilson)
Advisor's Department
History and Political Science
Funding Source
History
Abstract
The German Peasants’ War, which lasted from 1524 to 1526, has been evaluated in many different ways by scholars. The war began as a result of the demands for reforms raised by peasants in Germany went unanswered. This uprising ultimately failed, but many scholars see it as an important precedent. Some Marxist and socialist historians see it as an early bourgeois revolution, while others have seen it as an early attempt to move towards a parliamentary democracy instead of monarchy. This research looks at the goals and motivations of the peasants in the German Peasants’ War as evidenced through documents left from the time period. These documents reveal the nature of this rebellion and how it fits into the revolutionary history of Europe.
Biography
Donovan Mefford is a graduating senior in the Missouri S&T History and Political Science department pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Pre-Law, Philosophy, Political Science, and French. His main area of interest is in European history. Donovan plans to take a gap year to build experience before applying to law schools.
Research Category
Arts and Humanities
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Award
Arts and Humanities oral presentation, Second place
Location
Gasconade Room
Presentation Date
14 Apr 2022, 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
The Motivations & Goals in the German Peasants' War
Gasconade Room
The German Peasants’ War, which lasted from 1524 to 1526, has been evaluated in many different ways by scholars. The war began as a result of the demands for reforms raised by peasants in Germany went unanswered. This uprising ultimately failed, but many scholars see it as an important precedent. Some Marxist and socialist historians see it as an early bourgeois revolution, while others have seen it as an early attempt to move towards a parliamentary democracy instead of monarchy. This research looks at the goals and motivations of the peasants in the German Peasants’ War as evidenced through documents left from the time period. These documents reveal the nature of this rebellion and how it fits into the revolutionary history of Europe.
