The Protestant Reformation

What is the Protestant Reformation?

• 1500-1648

• The splintering of Roman Catholicism into other Christian faiths

• End of religious unity in Western Europe

Factors leading to Protestant Reformation

1. By end of Middle Ages, many criticize corruption, wealth and power of Catholic Church

– Indulgences, Simony, Personal Faith in God, Anti-Theocractic beliefs

2. Humanist ideas from the Renaissance

Factors leading to Protestant Reformation

3. Political leaders (kings, princes) wanted more power & money (Germany, England)

4. Scholars began to read the Bible; many disagreed with Church practices (printing press)

The Timeline of the Reformation • Early 1500s: Pope Leo X

sought to raise money to rebuild St. Peter’s Basilica; sold church positions & indulgences

• 1517: German monk Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses on church door in Wittenberg (northern Germany)

• Criticized simony, indulgences, other Church practices

The Timeline of the Reformation • 1520 - 21: Pope excommunicated Luther at the Diet

of Worms (Germany)• 1520s: Luther declared a heretic and outlaw

German prince hides Luther, while he translates Bible into German Creates new religion - Lutheranism

Martin Luther’s Message

• Opposed selling indulgences b/c no one but God could forgive sins

• Salvation by Faith alone only a strong belief in God can save someone, not their good works

• Only need a Bible to have a relationship with God Pope and priest not important

Why Does the Protestant Reformation Spread?

• Printing Press created by Johannes Gutenberg in 1450 Easier to write and print books increases literacy

• Bible written in German, not Latin

• Princes and Kings want more power (Germany and England)

Spread of Reformation to England

• 1527: King Henry VIII petitioned Pope for divorce; Pope refused

• 1534: Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy– Made king head of the

English Church (Church of England)

– King closed monasteries & convents, seized Catholic lands

Results of Protestant Reformation

• Spread of new religions to England, Switzerland, Germany and the rest of Europe

• Greater divide between Protestants and Catholics lead to 150 years of religious warfare

• Catholic Counter-Reformation

Catholic Counter Reformation• What is it? Reaction of the

Catholic Church to the Protestant Reformation

• Goal: Try to fix problems within Church to get back followers -> Council of Trent

• “Bonfire of the Vanities” Savonarola• Reforms:

– Inquisition (try to get rid of non-Catholics in certain regions – Spain, France, Italy)

– New Religious Orders – Jesuits– Stricter rules for Catholic officials

More Results of the Protestant Reformation

• Kings & rulers gained more political power from Germany

• Catholic Church lost power, prestige, and wealth • Period of intolerance between Catholics and

Protestants – Some create laws for religious tolerance– Edict of Nantes (France) – freedom to choose

religion• Greater focus on Education focus on secular, not

religious, ideas continues Renaissance humanism • Witch hunts throughout Europe