Unit 2

Jan Hus and John Wycliffe were pre-Luther reformers that openly/publicly challenged the catholic church and criticized church officials and church policies for being “unscriptural”, like indulgences, simony, and nepotism. They also believed the bible should be accessible to the common people in their vernacular 

Printing press invented by Gutenberg allowed for mass production of texts and the spread of reformation ideas 

Growth of cities was caused by growing commerce systems and population shifts.

Martin Luther

• Published 95 Theses to start academic debate on the sale of indulgences. Spread quickly due to printing press
• Salvation should be given by divine grace alone, you can't buy it 
• Lutheranism was born

Multiple branches of Protestantism formed, as different people interpreted protestant teaching differently:

John Calvin (1509-1564) - French theologian that founded Calvinism

• Predestination - god already determined who is going to heaven (the elect) and who is going to hell and you can’t do anything to change it
• Calvinists wanted to know if they were elect, so they viewed wealth as sign of god's favor, that they were part of the elect
• Protestant work ethic - lead to the rise of capitalism

Anabaptists resulted from Luther and Calvin

For years, nobility and monarchies did their best to limit the other’s power. The rise of religious reforms, saw many nobles switch to Protestant sects while many monarchies remained devout Catholics. In some countries the monarch became Protestant while a large group of nobles remained Catholic.

• There were two major religious conflicts in Germany after Martin Luther released his 95 Theses, the German Peasants’ War and the Schmalkaldic Wars. 
• Both of these conflicts would eventually lead to the signing of the Peace of Augsburg which would allow German princes to decide to be either Lutheran or Catholic.
• There was also great religious tension in France, where the Catholic monarchy fought against the Huguenots, or French Calvinists. 
• St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre increased the conflicts.
• The French Wars of Religion would eventually result in the War of the Three Henrys. One of those three Henrys, Henry of Navarre, became King Henry IV. Originally a Protestant, he converted to Catholicism and drafted the Edict of Nantes, granting rights of religious liberty to the Huguenots
• In Bohemia, a new Catholic king, Ferdinand II, was elected but protestants were afraid he would strip away their rights.
• Bohemian leaders elected Frederick V, a Protestant.  
  • Supporters of Frederick V threw some of Ferdinand II’s Catholic representatives out of a window in the Defenestration of Prague, which would spark Europe’s bloodiest religious war ever, The Thirty Years’ War.
• This war, which started over religion, quickly became a political one, with Denmark joining the Protestants to protect religious freedom in its kingdom, as well as to expand, Sweden also joined for the same reasons as Denmark. France, despite being a Catholic state, joined the Protestant side due to a rivalry with the Habsburgs.
  • This war would eventually come to an end with the Peace of Westphalia, which granted the option to choose between Lutheranism and Catholicism to princes, bishops, and local leaders, destroying the idea of universal Chrisitianity.
• In Spain, the Catholic Church’s biggest supporter, took this time of religious turmoil to rid their nation of all Muslims and Jews.

In England King Henry VIII wanted to divorce his wife, but the pope did not approve it, so he began the English Reformation where Henry would become the Supreme Head of the Church of England. 

 There were two major religious conflicts in Germany after Martin Luther released his 95 Theses, the German Peasants’ War and the Schmalkaldic Wars. Both of these conflicts would eventually lead to the signing of the Peace of Augsburg in 1555.

• Peace of Augsburg - Allowed German princes to decide to be either Lutheran or Catholic.

There was also great religious tension in France, where the Catholic monarchy fought against the Huguenots, or French Calvinists. 

• The fight between the groups made its way down into the lower levels of society where it would eventually accumulate into the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre which only increased the conflicts.

France’s religious wars would eventually lead to the War of Three Henrys, leading King Henry VI to eventually draft the Edict of Nantes which gave religious rights to the Huguenots.

In Bohemia, the election of a new king would divide the Catholics and the Protestants. Afraid that the new Catholic king, Ferdinand II, would strip away the rights of Protestants, some leaders elected Frederick V, who was a Protestant.

• Supporters of Frederick V threw some of Ferdinand II’s Catholic representatives out of a window in the Defenestration of Prague, which would spark Europe’s bloodiest religious war ever, The Thirty Years’ War.

This war, which started over religion, quickly became a political one, with Denmark joining the Protestants to protect religious freedom in its kingdom, as well as to expand, Sweden also joined for the same reasons as Denmark. France, despite being a Catholic state, joined the Protestant side due to a rivalry with the Habsburgs.

• This war would eventually come to an end with the Peace of Westphalia, which granted the option to choose between Lutheranism and Catholicism to princes, bishops, and local leaders, destroying the idea of universal Chrisitianity.

In Spain, the Catholic Church’s biggest supporter, took this time of religious turmoil to rid their nation of all Muslims and Jews.

In England King Henry VIII wanted to divorce his wife, but the pope did not approve it, so he began the English Reformation where Henry would become the Supreme Head of the Church of England.

 The Council of Trent still believed in traditional Catholic doctrine, supported the rule of the pope, and held traditional beliefs about faith's role in attaining salvation.

The Council also established seminaries to train priests, and banned the sale of indulgences. Ultimately the Council helped address the issues of corruption and reform within the Church, increasing the sense of centralization and uniformity in the Catholic faith.

• Council of Trent - Universal council of the Catholic Church made in response to the Protestant Reformation. It dealt with the issues in doctrine, discipline, and reform. Its creation marked the beginning of the counter-reformation.

 The growth of trade and commerce during this time caused the development of new financial systems and a new merchant class, which had a significant impact on the economy and politics. There was also a rise of capitalism also leading to the growth of industry, which also led to an increase in the standard of living of many people. 

New ideas in art, literature, science, and philosophy all stemmed from the Renaissance’s rediscovery of classical knowledge. There was an increased focus on education which led to developments of new forms of learning ultimately growing a more educated population.

During this time debates about women’s roles and place in society emerged, governments began to regulate morals through laws and policies focused on controlling their citizens behavior.

 Mannerism was a style of art that arose during the late 16th century. It was a clear departure from classical ideas, and was a reaction to the High Renaissance. It was particularly popular in Italy, but also spread to other parts of Europe.

• Mannerism - Art characterized by exaggeration and a complex style, using elongated poles, unusual color combinations, and asymmetry.

Baroque replaced Mannerism during the period of the Catholic Reformation. Because of its rise during the Reformation, many Baroque churches were built with the goal of impressing those who viewed it. It would eventually be adapted into New World architecture.

 The Protestant Reformation challenged the authority of the Church leading to the fragmentation of Christianity. Many religious conflicts between religious groups stemmed from the fragmentation.

The Reformation also led to more state control of religious institutions, which created conflict between different states and religious groups. The political struggle between the states of Europe also contributed to the wars of religion.

The Reformation and Wars of Religion were also impacted by the rise of capitalism. Trade and commerce grew leading to the expansion of cities and a new merchant class. Traditional societal structures were challenged leading to more conflict between different groups in a society.

The Renaissance led to new ways of thinking resulting in new beliefs and customs. Many people were persecuted for not sharing the same beliefs as their state. New art and literature emerged from the Renaissance.