FCPS World II SOL Standards: WHII 3a, 3b and 3c
Protestant Reformation (1500-1650 C.E.)
You Mean the Catholics Aren’t the Only Christians?
Causes of the
Protestant Reformation
In the early 1500s, the Roman Catholic Church
dominated religious, political, and economic life
in Europe. People began to question the power,
wealth, and authority of the Catholic Church.
Merchants were unhappy that the Catholic
Church opposed usury or interest on loans.
In addition, the German and English nobility
disliked the Italian control of the Church. People
began to see the Catholic Church as corrupt.
The Causes of the Reformation Source: World History textbook
One of the biggest concerns was the Catholic
Church’s sale of indulgences, a forgiveness of sins. Some early dissenters, or protestors against the Catholic Church, were
Jan Huss and John Wycliffe. Later dissenters like Martin Luther would use Gutenberg’s printing press to spread their ideas.
Martin Luther Begins a Revolution
In 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses, or ideas, as a list of complaints against the Catholic
Church on the church door. In addition to his 95 Theses, Luther encouraged people to read and interpret the Bible for
themselves. Luther wanted the Bible printed in the vernacular, not Latin, so that common people could read it. He
argued that all humans are equal before God and therefore the Pope and other
Catholic leaders did not have a special connection to God. Luther and his followers
believed in salvation by faith alone and that the Bible, rather than spiritual leaders,
was the ultimate authority on God. Although Luther was excommunicated or removed
from the Catholic Church and declared an outlaw by the German emperor, his ideas
spread and people created new churches in “protest” against the Catholic Church.
These churches were soon called Protestant churches. The first Protestant followers
started the Lutheran Church, named for Martin Luther.
The Reformation Spreads
The religious changes in Germany soon impacted other
parts of Europe. In Switzerland, John Calvin wrote about
Protestant beliefs including predestination, or the belief
that some people are chosen by God to be saved. In
Luther posting his 95 theses in 1517
Source: Wikimedia Commons; http://commons.wikimedia.
addition, Calvin believed that faith was shown by living a
org/wiki/Martin_Luther#mediaviewer/File:Luther95theses.
jpg
righteous life. These and other teachings would become
the basis for Calvinism. John Calvin’s beliefs spread to other areas. In France, the
Calvinists were known as Huguenots. Huguenots would later be persecuted in France
until the French King signed the Edict of Nantes which granted them religious tolerance.
The Reformation in England
The Protestant Reformation also spread to England. King Henry VIII wanted to divorce his wife
but the Catholic Church refused his request. As a result, he broke from the Catholic Church and
Routes of the Spanish Armada
Source: Wikimedia Commons;
began a new Church of England, the Anglican Church, with himself as the head. His daughter
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
File:Routes_of_the_Spanish_Armada.gif
Queen Elizabeth I later strengthened the Anglican Church. In 1588, Catholic Spain attacked
England with a large fleet of ships called the Spanish Armada. Queen Elizabeth led the English in victory against the Spanish.
FCPS HS Social Studies © 2014
Protestant Reformation (cont.) WHII 3a, 3b and 3c
Key Vocabulary
Indulgences: Catholic Church practice of
selling forgiveness for sins
Dissenter: a complainer or a protestor
95 Theses: Martin Luther’s list of complaints
against the Catholic Church
Monk: a man who devotes his life to religion,
usually Catholicism
Vernacular: the common language people
use to communicate
Salvation: rescue or safety; in religion, the
idea that a person can be saved from sin and
go to heaven
Protestant: one of the branches of Christianity,
that broke from the Roman Catholic Church
Predestination: belief that God has already
decided the fate, heaven or hell, of a person
before birth
Righteous: just and correct behavior, ideas
and morals
Calvinism: Protestant religion begun by
John Calvin
Huguenots: Calvinists in France
Quick Review
2. At what letter on the map did John Calvin spread his ideas?
A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D
1. Which person best completes the chart?
A. Martin Luther
B. John Calvin
C. Henry VIII
D. Elizabeth I
3. Which leader broke away from the Catholic Church and began a
Protestant Church in England?
A. John Calvin
B. Henry VIII
C. Elizabeth I
D. Martin Luther
4.
“The fact that [the Reformation] had its beginnings in the middle
of Europe made possible a very rapid radiation in all directions...
Germany’s position at the center of European trade also helped
greatly. German merchants carried not only goods but Lutheran
ideas and books to Venice and France; the north German
Hanse [trade league] transported the Reformation to
the Scandinavian countries.”
According to this quote, identify and explain 2-3 reasons why
Germany’s location was so important to the spread of the
Reformation and its ideas?
Connection to Today
Resources
Do you belong to a church or know someone who does? How many
different Christian churches are in your neighborhood?
● FCPS Library Resource - ABC Clio: Protestant Reformation:
http://worldhistory.abc-clio.com/Topics/Display/1182225?cid=41&sid=
1182225&useConcept=False
Learn 360
● This Day in History, October 31
http://goo.gl/5aUSI7
FCPS HS Social Studies © 2014