Evaluate the contribution of the printing press in spreading Lutheran ideas in Germany.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the contribution of the printing press in spreading Lutheran ideas in Germany. Candidates may consider the importance of the printing press for mass distribution of Luther’s works with the new possibility of reproducing books. Candidates may also refer to the use of the printing press to distribute pamphlets with images and songs to bring Luther’s message to the common folk in vernacular languages. Candidates may challenge the question considering that the role of the printing press was minimal since the cost of printed pieces was too high, reducing its availability to small groups of monks and scholars. Candidates may evaluate the role of priests and local parishes as more active factors in spreading Lutheran ideas among the illiterate population. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates make an appraisal of the contribution of the printing press in spreading Lutheran ideas in Germany. Few responses were seen to this question. Candidates generally had a limited knowledge base with which to answer this question.