Martin Luther Ordered Peasants Slaughtered

German theologian Martin Luther is often remembered for empowering ordinary believers, but during the 1525 German Peasants' War he urged nobles to crush the rebels after condemning their violence. In Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants, he told authorities to "smite, slay, and stab," and many rebels surrendered after realizing he would not support them. In 1526, after princely armies had defeated the revolt, Luther wrote, "I, Martin Luther, have during the rebellion slain all the peasants, for it was I who ordered them to be struck dead." He added, "All their blood is upon my neck. But I put it on our Lord God, for he commanded me to speak thus."

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