Why Did Lutheranism Appeal to The Princes Of Northern Germany?

Lutheranism is believing in the teachings of Martin Luther that emphasize the cardinal doctrine of justification by faith alone. This also means that the christians would leave Catholicism and become Protestants. The princes of Northern Germany liked the ideas of Luther because they would eventually lead to the increase in their power and their increased wealth.

Martin Luther initially supported the princes from the start of his Protestant campaign. He shows his support by quoting the biblical quote saying, “render to Caesar”. This explains that the peasants shouldn't pay tithe to the pope and church, but instead pay taxes to their leaders or princes. Since the church only believes in the power of the Church if there were to be a Protestant revolt it would annihilate the other competitor for power therefore stirring up less chaos.

If the ideas of Luther were abided by the princes would take over the land previously owned by the church and grow ever more powerful. The princes also shut down the church's monasteries. In effect the princes become more wealthy and powerful.

With the input from Luther's ideas the princes gained more political power. After putting the church aside the princes were able to appoint their own ministers. This results in the government being greater and more powerful than the church.

Since the cancelation of the tithe to the church and popes, the princes now have an extra 10% of taxes that they can force upon their subjects. This means that there will be more tax money for the princes, thanks to no tithe or taxes going to the pope and church. This makes the princes much richer, therefore they have more power.

Finally, since the catholic teachings have been proven wrong by Martin Luther the pope was stripped from power and Jesus was put back at the top of the list. The mercy of god is to be achieved through faith not good words, bribes and indulgences. This made the catholics worry about going to hell.