It found enthusiastic response in Germany, and was joined by everyone whose thoughts and hopes were centred in freedom.

Ulrich von Hutten's battle-cry, "I have dared the deed," rang loud through the districts of Germany.
Humanism was thus in a sense the precursor of the Reformation, which conceived in the innermost heart of the German people, shook Europe to her foundations.

Once more it was the German people which, as formerly in the struggle between the Arian Goths and the Orthodox Church, shed it's heart's blood in a religious war for spiritual liberty, and now for national independence also.

No struggle more pregnant with consequences for the development of humanity had been fought out since the Persian wars.

In this cause the German people nearly disappeared, and lost all political importance.