The Reformation: religion, revolution and the rise of the bourgeoisie
From Marxist Voice by Revolutionary Communist Party
March 31, 2026 · 47 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the impact of the Protestant Reformation on the rise of the bourgeoisie and its role in the struggle against feudalism.
“The long fight of the bourgeoisie against feudalism culminated in three great, decisive battles. The first was what is called the Protestant Reformation…” Engels When Martin Luther pinned his ninety-five thesis to the door of a church he set in motion a struggle on a scale that he did not foresee nor desire. Starting as a theological debate on doctrine, it became an ideological struggle against the Roman Catholic Church, and from there a series of revolutions, wars and civil wars. This explosive chapter of events shook Europe to the core, and changed history forever. It was a necessary first step in the struggle of the masses against feudalism by breaking the ideological dictatorship of the Catholic Church. This struggle opened the floodgates for new radical thought, such as the enlightenment, the development of science, and further revolutions. In this talk from Revolution Festival 2025, Joe Russell, RCP Executive Committee member will use this period of revolution as an important case study for historical materialism. How do changes in the economic base of society affect the realm of ideas, including religion? And how in turn, do such ideas become the most powerful weapon in…
People in this episode
Guest: Joe Russell
Topics covered
- bourgeoisie
- feudalism
- Protestant Reformation
- historical materialism
- ideological struggle
- revolutions
- religion
Keywords
- bourgeoisie
- feudalism
- Protestant Reformation
- historical materialism
- revolutions
- ideological struggle
- religion
- Enlightenment
- science
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Revolutionary Communist Party
Books & works: Protestant Reformation
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