Changes

While inspired in part by the Reformation, the uprising forced the movement into the hands of the landed nobility and elites in the German-speaking lands. Luther's Reformation became an increasingly conservative movement. The conservative Reformation forced commoners to establish faith and church that met their needs and gave birth to the Radical or Popular Reformation.

The German Peasant Wars of 1524-1527 were revolts aimed at overthrowing the existing socio-economic system in German-speaking lands. <ref> Zagorín, Pérez. <i>Rebels and Rulers, 1500–1660</i> (Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press, 1984). pp. 187, 188, 190</ref> The Revolt involved peasants and merchants, artisans, members of the minor nobility, and Protestant pastors. They all united in changing the prevailing political system. There were many reasons for the outbreak. The German Peasants, especially the wealthier groups, wanted to safeguard hard-earned prosperity that they believed was under threat from the nobility.<ref> Zagorin, p. 116</ref>