What is the Protestant Reformation Name given to the religious reform movement that
divided the western Church into Catholic and Protestant groups. Prior to Reformation all Christians were Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church criticized for abuse of power and corruption-Martin Luther wanted to get rid of this abuse & restore people’s faith in Church
In the end reformers established their own religions Christian Humanists-wanted to reform church
Believed through reason, and studying the classics one could become more pious (Christ-like)
Desiderius Erasmus-Father of Christian Humanism He suggested reforming from within the church
Why Reform? Popes corrupted by power & lose focus of
spiritual leadership Scientific advances contradicted the Church People wanted to know how to save souls Indulgences-a release of a soul from purgatory
for monetary donation - a HUGE abuse of Church power
Martin Luther German Priest Saw problems in Church Church believed salvation gained from faith + good
work Luther believed faith alone gained salvation October 31, 1517 – Posted 95 Theses on church door in
Wittenberg, Germany His criticisms of Church 1000s of copies distributed through Germany
The Reformation Begins Luther moves town split from Church Wanted Germany to establish a German Church Luther excommunicated
Charles V(Roman Emperor)Summoned Luther the Diet at city of Worms to ask Luther to change his mind
Luther refuses Edict of Worms issued, making Luther an outlaw Luther kept in hiding-a crime to associate with him Many accepted his teachings & renounced authority
of the pope
Lutheranism Followers of Luther’s religious practices Gained support of many German princes 1524, German peasants revolt & hope Luther
would support them, because Luther needed the princes’ support, he did not help peasants
Germany in turmoil-Catholic? Lutheran? To achieve peace Emperor Charles V accepted Peace
of Augsburg (allowed German princes to choose faiath of their religion)
Protestantism Spreads Ulrich Zwingli – Priest in Zurich, Switzerland Zwinglian Reformation
Stresses importance of Bible Rejects elaborate church rituals John Calvin – replaces Zwingli 1536-Began reforming Geneva, Switz. Set up Theocracy-govt. run by church leaders God determined who would gain salvation –
Predestination Calvinism spreads through Europe Challenge to Roman Catholic Church-sets off wars
Causes and Effects of the Protestant Reformation
• Immediate Effects
• Peasants Revolt• Founding of Lutheran,
Calvinist, Anglican, Presbyterian and other Protestant churches
• Weakening of Holy Roman Empire
• Luther calls for Jews to be expelled from Christian lands
• Long – Term Effects
• Religious wars in Europe• Catholic Reformation• Strengthening of the
Inquisition• Jewish migration to
Eastern Europe • Increased anti-Semitism
Reformation in England Political, not religious motives for reform Henry VIII-King of England
Needs a male heir to carry on Tudor Dynasty Married Catherine of Aragon-had a daughter Mary No son, so Henry wants a divorce In Catholic Church you need an annulment granted
by the Church Pope refuses to grant annulment Henry VIII breaks from Church, graant granted
Church of England is formed Archbishop of Canterbury grants Henry VIII a
divorce Act of Supremacy (1534) Establishes Church of
England King control over doctrine, appointments etc. Dissolves Catholic claims, sells land & possessions of
the Catholic Church Remained close to Catholic teachings
Church of England Cont. 1547-Henry VIII died
His 9 year old son, Edward VI took the throne The Church of England – Anglican Church
Became more Protestant Angering Catholics
1533-Edward dies Half sister Mary (catholic) takes throne She wants to restore Catholicism “Bloody Mary” has 300+ protestants burned as
heretics Increases tensions between Catholics & Protestants
Elizabethan SettlementSucceeded Mary Compromises between
Catholic & Protestant practices
Monarch not Supreme Head of Church but Supreme Governor over spiritual matters
Accepts moderate Protestant doctrine
Unifies EnglandShe restores economy
The Catholic Reformation Protestantism spreading through Europe Church sees need to reform
Raises standards of the clergy Inspires Church with renewed zeal & morale Contributed greatly to producing the Catholic
Church as we know it today Pillars of Catholic Reformation
1. Reform of Papacy 2. Society of Jesus (Jesuits) 3. Council of Trent-establishes direction reform is to
take
The Papacy Corruption had to be addressed Pope Paul led papal reform
Oversaw creation of Jesuit order Opened Council of Trent-direction for reform-
BANNED INDULGENCES Revived the Inquisition- Fight Protestantism
The Jesuits • Most significant of Catholic
Reform• Founded by Ingatius of
Loyola– Spanish Soldier – Injured in battle – Had a conversion during
recovery, dedicated himself to the church
Role of JesuitsMissionariesConvert former and non-
CatholicsUrged religious education
of childrenDevoted to religious and
secular educationSecondary SchoolColleges/UniversitiesSeminaries
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