Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

Müntzer's appeal to the princes to overthrow the political order is best explained by which of the following developments?

1. The increasing use of Luther's religious ideas to challenge political authority

2. The spread of Renaissance humanism among German scholars

3. The growing power of the monarchies in Europe

4. The strengthening of the Catholic Church's influence in Germany

The correct answer is: The increasing use of Luther's religious ideas to challenge political authority

Müntzer's appeal to the princes to overthrow the political order is best understood through the context of the Reformation and the transformative religious ideas that Martin Luther introduced. Luther’s critique of the Catholic Church spurred many to re-evaluate traditional authority structures, not just in religion but also in politics. Müntzer, who was a radical reformer, championed the idea that reform should extend to societal and political realms along with religious ones. He believed that the new religious freedoms and ideas could empower the common people and leaders alike to challenge the status quo. By this time, many were using Luther's religious ideas as a basis to question and resist the political authority of the princes and the established order. Müntzer sought to harness this momentum, advocating for a revolutionary change that would elevate the role of the common people against their rulers. Thus, it is the increasing influence of Luther's religious thought and its intersection with political authority that provides clarity to Müntzer's motivations and appeals during this period of upheaval.