The Reformation

1. The Reformation

2. Causes of the Reformation • Social: Humanism and the Printing Press led to a questioning of the Church. • Political: Monarch challenged the authority of the Church. • Economic: People hated paying church taxes. • Religious: Some church leaders were corrupt.

3. Criticisms of the Catholic Church • Many felt that the majority of Church leaders were corrupt and only cared about personal wealth. • One issue was in particular was the selling of indulgences. Which were Church pardons that people could simply buy for salvation.

4. Early Calls for Reform • As early as the 1300s many reformers denied that the Church had a right to earthly power. • It also began to be discussed that the Bible, not the Church had religious authority.

5. Luther and his 95 Theses • Martin Luther was a monk from Germany who took a public stand against the selling of indulgences. • Luther wrote a series of 95 statements which he posted to the church in Wittenberg, Germany which formally stated his grievances with corrupt practices (Indulgences). • This started the Reformation.

6. Reformation • A movement for Religious reform which led to the founding of a series of Christian churches that did not accept the Pope’s authority.

7. Luther’s Teachings • People could gain salvation only through faith to God. • All Church teachings should be based on the words of the Bible. • All people of faith were equal, no priests were needed.

8. Response to Luther • The Church issued a decree threatening Luther with excommunication. • The Holy Roman Emperor Charles V called for Luther to be put on trial and when he refused declared him an outlaw and heretic.

9. Lutherans • Rather than seek to reform the Catholic Church anymore, Luther decided to establish his own church in 1522 and his followers became known as Lutherans.

10. Peasant Revolt and Conflict • Some serfs began to apply Luther’s ideas to society and began revolting in Germany which horrified Luther. • The German States as a result broke into civil war with Charles V and princes who supported Luther

11. Protestant • The German Princes who supported Luther protested against his excommunication and became known as Protestants.

12. Peace of Augsburg • Although Charles V was victorious, he could not persuade the princes to convert back to the Catholic Church. • Instead they signed an agreement to allow each prince to decide their religion.

13. Annul • Henry VIII of England was desperate for a male heir and wished to have his wedding annulled (divorce) by the Pope so he could marry another woman. • When the Pope refused Henry VIII decided to break away from the Church and become Protestant.

14. Reformation Parliament • This is the parliament which Henry VII called together for the purpose of ending the Pope’s power in England. • Although England officially split, many English remained loyal Catholics.

15. Consequences of Henry’s Changes • Henry in the end never was able to have a male heir. • After his death, his power was shared by multiple children but eventually Elizabeth took the throne and continued to convert England to Protestant.

16. Anglican • The Anglican Church became the official Protestant Church of England. • It was the only legal church in England.

17. Queen Elizabeth • Eventually brought peace to England. • Embraced Renaissance Ideas. • Decided England should create and American Empire to increase wealth. • Famously defeated the Spanish Armada.

18. Video Clips • English Reformation: 2 Minutes • The Spanish Armada: 10 Minutes • Martin Luther: 3 Minutes • Martin Luther: 8 Minutes