The Radical Reformation emerged in 16th-century Germany and Switzerland as a fervent response to perceived corruption within both the Catholic Church and the nascent Magisterial Protestant movements. It gave rise to diverse radical Protestant groups, most notably the Anabaptists, including the Hutterites and Mennonites, alongside figures like Thomas Müntzer and Andreas Karlstadt. These reformers championed a church independent of state control, emphasizing individual conviction in faith, biblical literalism, and often absolute pacifism, rather than forced belief.
A pivotal event was the millenarian Münster Rebellion in 1535, a violent episode that was swiftly crushed. Following this, leaders like Menno Simons steered many Anabaptist groups towards staunch non-violence, making pacifism a core tenet of movements like the Mennonites. Despite intense persecution, Radical Reformers generated extensive literature, and their principles, such as community of goods, continue to inspire various community groups today.