Notes
The Protestant Reformation
- Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses (1517), attacking the sale of indulgences. He taught salvation by faith alone, the authority of the Bible alone, and the "priesthood of all believers."
- Luther's ideas spread through the printing press and support from German princes who wanted independence from the pope and the Holy Roman Emperor.
- John Calvin in Geneva taught predestination. Calvinism spread to France (Huguenots), Scotland (Presbyterians), the Netherlands and England (Puritans).
- The Anabaptists were persecuted for adult baptism and separation from the state.
- The English Reformation was political: Henry VIII broke with Rome (Act of Supremacy, 1534) to annul his marriage. Elizabeth I created a moderate Anglican church.
The Catholic Reformation
- The Council of Trent (1545–1563) reaffirmed Catholic doctrine and fixed some abuses (better training for priests).
- The Jesuits (Ignatius of Loyola) spread Catholicism through education and missions. The Index of Prohibited Books and the Inquisition fought heresy.
- Baroque art expressed Catholic emotion and grandeur.
Wars of religion
- Peace of Augsburg (1555): each German prince chose Lutheranism or Catholicism for his land (cuius regio, eius religio).
- French Wars of Religion: the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre (1572); the Edict of Nantes (1598) granted Huguenots toleration.
- Thirty Years' War (1618–1648): began as a religious conflict in the Holy Roman Empire and became a political struggle. The Peace of Westphalia (1648) recognized Calvinism, weakened the Holy Roman Emperor, and established the idea of state sovereignty.
Society
- Family life, marriage and the role of women shifted; Protestant areas closed convents. Witch hunts peaked in the late 1500s and 1600s.
- The Little Ice Age and price inflation brought hardship.
Practice
He objected to buying forgiveness for sins.
God has already chosen who will be saved.
The Act of Supremacy made him head of the Church of England.
It was the core of the Catholic Reformation.
Cuius regio, eius religio.
Henry IV issued it to end the religious wars.
It shaped the modern state system.
They built schools and sent missionaries worldwide.
Free response
Write your answer first, then open the scoring guide.
Free-response question
Answer (a), (b) and (c).
(a) Describe ONE religious idea of Martin Luther.
Show the answer and scoring guide
Salvation comes through faith alone, not good works or indulgences (or: the Bible alone is the source of religious authority).
Check off the points you earned:
(b) Explain ONE political reason German princes supported the Reformation.
Show the answer and scoring guide
Breaking with Rome let princes take Church lands and wealth and gain independence from the Catholic Holy Roman Emperor.
Check off the points you earned:
(c) Explain ONE way the Catholic Church responded to the Protestant Reformation.
Show the answer and scoring guide
The Council of Trent reaffirmed doctrine and improved clergy training, and the Jesuits spread Catholicism through education.
Check off the points you earned: