The Swabian League was established in 1488 within the Holy Roman Empire to defend its interests and maintain peace, primarily based in the region of Swabia in Southwest Germany.

The Protestant Reformation started in 1517, inspiring events like the German Peasants' War due to challenges to the status quo by religious reformers like Martin Luther.

In 1523, Franz von Sickingen led an uprising of the lower nobility against the oppressive practices of the ruling elite, aiming to challenge the existing power structures.

The German Peasants’ War, 1524–1525 was the biggest uprising in Western Europe before the French Revolution. The rebellion extended to the Tyrol, Northern Italy and Alsace and at its peak covered most of Germany. It occurred at the height of the Reformation in successive waves, during which, thousands of people – miners, peasants, and townsfolk risked everything and lost their lives.

In August 1524, peasants began to revolt at Stühlingen with Hans Müller as their leader, marking the beginning of the German Peasants' War.

In December 1524, Thomas Müntzer travelled to Grießen and joined the peasants' cause during the German Peasants' War.

On February 16, 1525, 25 villages outside of Memmingen joined the Peasants' Revolt, enlisting the town's leaders to improve their economic status. The rebellion had spread widely throughout the southern part of the Holy Roman Empire.

On 6 March 1525, representatives of the Baltringer Haufen, Allgäuer Haufen, and Lake Constance Haufen gathered in Memmingen to unite against the Swabian League, leading to the establishment of the Christian Association.

On 20 March 1525, representatives of the Upper Swabian Peasants Haufen met in Memmingen to form the Christian Association, an Upper Swabian Peasants' Confederation. They adopted the Twelve Articles and the Federal Order, with the Bundschuh as their emblem.

After unsuccessful negotiations, talks between peasant representatives and the Swabian League broke off on 25 March.

On 3-4 April, the Swabian League army attacked the Leipheim Army near Ulm, defeating it easily.

The Battle of Leipheim took place on 4 April 1525 during the German Peasants' War. It was a significant engagement where approximately 5,000 peasants faced over 8,000 professionally trained troops of the Swabian League, resulting in a devastating defeat for the peasants with over 3,000 killed.

The Swabian League army moved against the Baltringen Army on 13 April after learning that the Lake and Allgäu armies would not come to its aid.

On April 15, 1525, Waldburg faced the 12,000-man Lake Band at Gaisbeuren near Weingarten. Fearing defeat, Waldburg offered favorable peace terms leading to the Treaty of Weingarten on April 17, 1525, which the Lake Band accepted.

In retaliation to the defeat at Leipheim, peasant haufens from various regions formed the Heller Haufen under the leadership of Jack Rohrbach. They attacked the town and castle of Weinsberg, leading to the execution of Count Ludwig and other nobles.

The Treaty of Weingarten was signed on April 17, 1525, following the Battle of Gaisbeuren. Waldburg offered favorable peace terms to the Lake Band, which they accepted, marking the defeat of the greatest peasant association during the German Peasants' War.

Georg III, Truchsess von Waldburg, defeated a large peasant army at the Battle of Boblingen by breaking their lines easily with his cavalry and slaughtering them in retreat.

The Swabian League forces of Philip I of Hesse and George, Duke of Saxony, met the peasant army under Müntzer near the town of Frankenhausen in a decisive battle of the German Peasants' War.

Duke Antoine of Lorraine defeated a peasant army in the Battle of Saverne, resulting in the death of around 18,000 peasants.

During the Siege of Freiburg, peasants surrounded the city and forced the city fathers to capitulate, leading to the establishment of the 'Christian Union' between the city and the peasants.

Geyer and the Black Company, believing in a peasant victory at Frankenhausen, were ambushed and annihilated at the Battle of Ingolstadt on May 27, 1525.

The League advanced on a peasant army at Königshofen in Württemberg. The peasants retreated to a wagenburg but were defeated by the Truchsess, resulting in the death of many peasants.

A relief army led by Louis V, Elector of the Palatine, arrived to confront the peasant army led by Hans Müller near Würzburg. The battle resulted in the death of over 8,000 peasants and the escape of Götz von Berlichingen.

The recapture of Würzburg marked the end of the Franconian revolt after the Franconian 'Parliament' disbanded and Waldburg captured Jäcklein Rohrbach, who was roasted to death.

The final battle of the German Peasants' War took place at Pfeddersheim in the Palatine. The rebels, undermanned and inexperienced, were defeated by Louis V's forces, resulting in the death of around 4,000 peasants.

Friedrich Engels' analysis of the Peasant War in Germany, originally published in 1850. The work provides insights into the social and political dynamics of the peasant uprising.

A play depicting the decisions of three characters during the German Peasants' War, showcasing their transformation from wanting to massacre a city to ultimately deciding against it.

In 1987, a panorama painting depicting the 1525 conflict of the German Peasants' War was commissioned in East Germany, showcasing the significance of the war within Communist ideology.

Douglas Miller's book delves into the military aspects of the German Peasants' War of 1524–1526, examining the strategies and conflicts of the involved parties during the uprising.

Annerose Wald's establishment of the Peasants' War museum in Böblingen serves as a cultural and educational hub dedicated to preserving the memory of the Peasants' War and its impact on the region.

In 2017, Germany celebrated the quincentenary of the Reformation. The Peasants’ War remained something of an embarrassment during this time as Luther had condemned the peasants, leading to the Peasants’ War being overshadowed by the celebrations.

The German Peasants' War was a widespread popular revolt that took place in various parts of the Holy Roman Empire between 1524 and 1525. It was sparked by social and religious grievances among the peasantry against their rulers and the church.