The Reformation

1. Content Statement #7 The Reformation introduced changes in religion including the emergence of Protestant faiths and a decline in the political power and social influence of the Roman Catholic Church The Reformation

2. Renaissance Review • The Renaissance was a period of rebirth of learning in Europe • Inspiration from Ancient Greeks and Romans • Also influenced by Muslims and Islamic Culture • Art • Humanism • Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo • Literature • Niccolo Machiavelli (Italian) • William Shakespeare (English) • Science • Study of bones and muscles • Printing Press Invented

3. The Reformation • During the Renaissance, the Church still held great power. • The Reformation was an effort to reform, or improve, the Catholic Church. • The Renaissance heavily influenced the Reformation • The Reformation began in 1517 in Germany

4. Martin Luther • Born • November 10, 1493 • Died • February 18, 1546 • 62 years old • Occupation • Monk • Location • Germany

5. Luther’s Beliefs • Luther disagreed with many of the teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church of the early 1500’s • He believed that people did not need Popes or other Church officials to tell them what God wanted them to do. • According to Luther, faith in God and common sense (not obedience to the Church) was the key to a proper Christian life.

6. Reading and the Bible • Luther also believed that ordinary people could understand the Bible for themselves • This goes against the Church • He translated the Bible into German so that ordinary people could read it • He was in favor of creating town schools that would teach everyone to read

7. Indulgences • Luther especially despised the Church practice of selling indulgences • Indulgences were pardons for sins • During this time people could pay money to the Church to be forgiven for their sins • Luther felt that the Church did not have the power to exchange God’s forgiveness for money • The church would sell indulgences more to raise money than for any truly religious reason

8. Luther’s 95 Thesis • Luther began to publically criticize the Catholic Church • On October 31, 1517, Luther posted a list of complaints on the door of his church in Wittenberg, Germany • This list of complaints became known as the “95 Thesis”

9. Luther’s Teachings Spread • In Germany, priests, nobles, and ordinary people rallied behind Luther’s ideas. • Some priests agreed with Luther about corruption in the Church • Nobles were eager to limit the Church’s overwhelming power. • They wanted to collect their own taxes and make their own laws • Like the leaders of Italy’s city-states

10. Conflict with the Pope • On 15 June 1520, the Pope Leo X warned Luther that he risked excommunication unless he withdrew is writings criticizing the Church • This included his “95 Thesis” • Luther refused

11. Excommunication • As a consequence of refusing to withdraw his criticism, Luther was excommunicated by Pope Leo X on January 3, 1521 • The enforcement of the ban on the “95 Theses” fell to the secular authorities.

12. Diet of Worms • On 18 April 1521, Luther appeared as ordered before the “Diet of Worms”. • This was a general assembly of the estates of the Holy Roman Empire • Luther still refused to withdraw his writings

13. Diet of Worms Outcome • Over the next five days, private conferences were held to determine Luther's fate. • The Emperor declared Luther an outlaw, banning his literature, and requiring his arrest • It also made it a crime for anyone in Germany to give Luther food or shelter. • It permitted anyone to kill Luther without legal consequence.

14. Luther Returns to Wittenberg… • After the Diet of Worms, Luther was sent back to Wittenberg • On the road home Luther was abducted by a group of men • Luther's disappearance during his return trip back to Wittenberg was planned. • Prince Frederick III had him intercepted on his way home in the forest near Wittenberg by masked horsemen who were made to appear as armed highwaymen • They escorted Luther to the security of Wartburg Castle (home of Prince Frederick III)

15. Luther at Wartburg Castle • While at Wartburg, Luther translated the New Testament from Greek to German • From the safety of Wartburg Castle, Luther continued to criticize the Church

16. Luther’s Later Life • Luther secretly returned to Wittenberg • While in Wittenberg, Luther organized and supported many peasant uprisings • Martin Luther later married Katharina von Bora (a former nun) • Remember marriage was not permitted for monks

17. Protestant Churches • Soon people in much of Northern Europe held views similar to Luther’s • They created their own Christian Churches, free of Roman Catholic control • These came to be called Protestant Churches because they grew out of protests against the power and abuses of the Roman Catholic Church • Today their members are still called Protestants

18. The Catholic Reformation • Many Roman Catholics agreed with some criticisms made by Protestants. • Instead of turning away from the Church, they worked to reform and correct the abuses of the Church • The Catholic Reformation also wanted to bring Protestants back to the Catholic Church and to make sure that Catholics held strictly to Church teachings

19. Jesuits • Jesuits were members of the Society of Jesus who became well-known as teachers and missionaries • They were among the best-educated people of Europe at this time

20. The Impact of the Reformation • Religious Impact • Catholic and Protestant • Political Impact • Nations aligned themselves with each branch • England (Protestant) • France (Catholic Majority, Protestant Minority) • Spain (Spain Catholic) • Social Impact • Middle class became stronger • Lower class wanted more rights • Importance of the individual