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=Protestant Reformation =

Causes:
In 1519 a movement known as the Protestant Reformation resulted in Martin Luther's rejection of the pope's authority. Conflict arouse when Pope Leo X (of the wealthy Medici Family) began using indulgences in order to earn money towards building projects and magnificant new artistic designs. These indulgences enforced the forgiveness of the punishment due for past sins, granted by church authorities as a reward for a pious act (making a pilgramage, saying a particular prayer, or making a donation to a religious cause). In response to the speculated abuse of these insentives, Martin Luther, a professor of sacred culture, argued Pope Leo's indulgences objecting that salvation came not from 'doing certain things', but rather religious faith and faith in Jesus Christ. Acting on his his own personal morals, Martin Luther further challenged the papal power, openly disagreeing with church doctrines. Martin Luther's rash acts of rebellion resulted in the condemntion of the Catholic Church. In response, Luther completely disregarded the pope's authority and spread his pure intentions, spurring a new form of Christianity. Luther's theological dispute with Pope Leo over the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation and started the beginning of a proactive and revolutionary time for many Romans.  === ===

Significance:
The significance of the Protestant Reformation held a major importance in the 1500's. It marked the turning point for many Europeans, leading to the beginning of independent thought, and the rejection of a corrupted religious system. The Protestant Reformation altered the general public's state of mind towards papal power and the pope's authority. Handing Europeans a new theological argument, the reformation enlightening citizens to the unfairness of indulgences and objected to how those in power should be perceived. Martin Luther's new design gained popularity not only for its religious teachings, but also because of the political climate in Europe in the sixteenth century. It caused a commercial revolution, reaching out to many powerful Germans who responded positively to the new ideas. Aside from the reform's numerous political and cultural benefits, Luther's spread of ideas throughout Europe were credited to the movable type, a printing technology. By utilizing the printing press, Luther introduced an up and coming step in technology, in turn proving to be a monumental innovation.  = =

Effects:
The results of the Protestant Reformation had a great impact on European society. Not only did it spread the belief in salvation by faith alone, but it increased European questioning of political authority, encouraged education (as Protestants wanted their children to be able to read the Bible), improved the status of women within marriage--as religious writers encouraged love between husband and wife, created new Protestant churches, and strengthened the authority of the monarchs while causing papal power to decrease. In addition to new living standards, the reformation spurred other thinkers and reforms to occur due to it's successful intensity. The Protestant Reformation inspired leaders such as John Calvin (1509-1564), a well-educated Frenchman, who further developed Lutheran teachings, becoming a highly influential leader in the religious world, taking Lutheran values and creating his own severe version of Christianity, known as Calvinism. The appeal of the reformation also caused the Catholic Church to call for their own reform (Catholic Reformation), and look upon their corruption and what they stood for.  