Protestant Reformation Part 1

​The Protestant Reformation Part 1

Terms & Names

Indulgence Release from punishments due for a sin

Reformation 16th-century movement for religious reform, leading to the founding of new Christian churches

Lutheran Member of a Protestant church founded on the teachings of Martin Luther

Protestant Member of a Christian church founded on the principles of the Reformation

Anglican Relating to the Church of England

​Terms & Names (continued)

Predestination Doctrine that God has decided all things beforehand, including which people will be saved

Calvinism Religious teachings based on the ideas of the reformer John Calvin

Theocracy Government controlled by religious leaders

Scientific Revolution New way of thinking about the natural world based on careful observation and a willingness to question

Scientific method Logical procedure for gathering and testing ideas

​Terms & Names (continued)

Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomer who developed a heliocentric theory

Galileo Galilei Scientist who was forced by the Catholic Church to take back scientific ideas that contradicted the church’s view

Isaac Newton Scientist who discovered laws of motion and gravity

Robert Boyle Scientist considered to be the founder of modern chemistry

​How did the Reformation begin?

In 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther protested against a Church official who was selling indulgences. An indulgence was a kind of forgiveness. By paying money to the Church, people thought they could win salvation.

Luther challenged this practice and others. He posted a protest on the door of a castle church. His words were printed and spread throughout Germany. This was the beginning of the Reformation, a movement for reform that led to the founding of new Christian churches.

Open Ended

What is Indulgence and why did this cause Luther to spark the Reformation?

​What effects did Luther’s protest have?

Pope Leo X punished Luther for his views. Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, a strong Catholic, called Luther an outlaw. But it was too late. His ideas, which spread quickly with the help of the printing press, were already being practiced. The Lutheran Church started around 1522.

In 1524, peasants in Germany hoped to use Luther’s ideas about Christian freedom to change society. They demanded an end to serfdom—a condition like slavery. When it was not granted, they revolted. German princes killed thousands in putting the revolt down.

Some nobles supported Luther’s ideas. They saw a chance to weaken the emperor’s power over them. Other German princes joined forces against Luther’s supporters. They signed an agreement to remain loyal to the pope and the emperor. Supporters of Luther’s ideas protested this agreement. They were called the Protestants. Eventually, the term Protestant meant Christians who belonged to non-Catholic churches.

​Causes of the Reformation:

●The printing press and the resulting increase in literacy helped spread ideas and facilitated a profound reform movement. People were able to own and read the Bible instead of relying on priests to interpret scripture.

●Widespread abuses of Church power included corruption, indulgences (payments to the Church to earn salvation), and simony (selling of Church offices) led many to seek reforms within the Catholic Church.

●Martin Luther and the 95 Theses: German monk who wrote 95 issues (or concerns) regarding teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church.

By 1500, the influence of the Church on the lives of people had weakened. Some people resented paying taxes to support the Church in Rome. Others sharply criticized the Church for some of its practices. Popes seemed more concerned with luxury and political power than with spiritual matters. Many local priests lacked education and were not able to teach people. Some lived immoral lives.

Reformers urged the Church to change its ways to become more spiritual and humble. CIn the early 1500s, the calls grew louder.

​Political effects/impact of the Reformation:

●The rising power of absolute monarchies in Europe decreased the power of the Pope and Church as critical ideas were written and circulated, challenging the power of the Church.

●Some monarchs remained loyal to the Catholic Church while other monarchs embraced Protestantism.

●Henry VIII of England: Broke England’s ties with the Catholic Church and established the Church of England with the monarch as head of the Church.

●Questioning the power of the Church and the papacy led to questioning the king’s political authority.

Multiple Choice

Who created the Church of England?

• Henry VIII

• Queen Elizabeth I

• Oliver Cromwell

• King James I

Multiple Choice

Who Wrote the 95 Theses, which was a criticism of the Catholic church?

• Martin Luther

• John Calvin

• Galileo Galilei

• King Henry VIII

​How did England become Protestant?

Henry VIII, the king, was married to a Spanish princess. She gave birth to a daughter. England had never had a female ruler. Henry feared a civil war would start if he had no son. He believed his wife was too old to have another child. He tried to get the pope to annul, or put an end to, the marriage so he could remarry. The pope refused.

To remarry, Henry had to get out of the Catholic Church. In 1534, Henry had Parliament pass laws that created the Church of England. These laws made the king or queen, not the pope, head of the Church. Henry no longer had to obey the pope. Henry remarried five times. His only son was from his third wife.

One of Henry’s daughters, Elizabeth, became queen in 1558. She finished creating a separate English church. The new church was called Anglican. It had some practices that would appeal to both Protestants and Catholics. In this way, Elizabeth hoped to end religious conflict.