“Over the centuries Luther (1483-1546) has been variously identified as an advocate of absolute monarchy, democracy, individual freedom, intellectual repression, nationalism, internationalism, spirituality and secularism” (Wilson, 2007, p.34). I believe that Luther influenced how religion was practiced and began education. One way is through the Bible. Luther believed that since God provided the Bible that people should read it. Luther translated the Bible into the German language. Within years of him doing this, people began to write devotionals and pamphlets. (Wilson, 2007, p. 35). To this day, people still practice devotions and hand out pamphlets, such as religious tracts, to tell people about God. Luther also brought the Bible into the church to replace authority. In doing this he “Fired the imagination and stiffened the resolve of more radical spirits throughout western Christendom” (Wilson, 2007, p.) 35. Without Luther translating the Bible and challenging the religious authority, who knows what religion practices would be like today.
How did Luther begin education? I believe that school started because Luther realized that “Learning was now something to be valued” (Wilson, 2007, p. 35). After people started to write devotions and pamphlets, Luther wrote to municipal authorities asking them to start elementary schools for all children, both boys and girls. “By 1580 half the parishes in Electoral Saxony had schools for boys and 10 per cent had made similar provision for girls” (Wilson, 2007, p. 35).
Susan B. Anthony was an aggressive woman. She was a womens advocate and a member of the anti-slave movement. “She also campaigned for the abolition of slavery, the right for women to own their own property and retain their earnings, and she advocated for women's labor organizations” (Biography of S. 2013). In 1856 she became an agent for the American Anti-Slavery Society. She arranged meetings, made speeches, put up posters, and distributed leaflets. Anthony called for equal education opportunities for people of all races. I believe that a social change that she made was getting her voice to be heard.