The Protestant Reformation AP European History Mr Stepek

The Protestant Reformation AP European History Mr. Stepek

Roman Catholic Church is in need of reform • Lack of credibility – Black plague • Why can’t the church protect the faithful? – Avignon papacy • French pope under influence of French king – “Babylonian captivity” • Later “Great Schism”: – 2 popes @ same time » One pope in Rome » One pope in Avignon

Other factors influencing the Reformation Earlier movements: Forerunners to the Reformation John Wycliffe Jan Hus Influenced by Wycliffe Leads Lollards in England. poor priests who imitate Christ Opposes church in Bohemia many beliefs similar to Luther Burned at stake as a heretic Persecuted posthumously

Other factors influencing the Reformation Christian Humanism: links individualism with Christianity Erasmus In Praise of Folly Satirical look at church superstitions and abuses (Sir) Thomas More Utopia (perfect society) Criticizes materialism by idealizing a “socialist” type society.

de’ Medici as Popes • Renaissance Popes – sponsored by or from wealthy families – elected by college of cardinals • stacked with “nephews” of previous popes who had appointed them • this is where we get the word “nepotism” – like their “secular” relatives, they were concerned with projecting power through patronage. • Raphael (School of Athens) • Michelangelo (Sistine Chapel) – lives of wealth and extravagance Leo X

Renaissance Popes

Roman Catholic Church is in need of reform • concerned more with secular (temporal) rather than spiritual world – Wants to maintain political power and wealth – Papal state wars • Julius II “The Warrior Pope” • leads armies against Venice

Roman Catholic Church is in need of reform • Scandalous – Pope Alexander VI (Borgia) • mistresses • illegitimate children

Papal scandal and secularism Lucretia Borgia sits on the Holy See in father’s absence Caricature of Pope Alexander VI by Martin Luther (1545)

Roman Catholic Church is in need of reform • corrupt – sold church positions (simony) – fees for services • marriage, baptism, etc. • to view relics = religious artifacts – brothel tax/clergy mistress tax – Indulgences = pardon for sins • Johann Tetzel – Used guilt and power of persuasion to become the Church’s best indulgence seller – Luther movie clip (29: 00 – 39: 17)

Other factors influencing the Reformation • Nationalism – loyalty to one’s own land/people – Germans resent foreign control • Luther translates Bible into German • Von Hutten riles against Roman control

Timeline of the Reformation • 1517 • 1520 • 1521 • 95 Theses (spread by printing press) • Luther excommunicated • Luther refuses to recant @ Diet of Worms – HRE Charles V decl. Luther an outlaw • while in hiding translates Bible into German • 1524 • Peasant’s War : class warfare 100, 000 die – (black mark on Luther’s legacy) • 1530 • ½ of German princes →Lutherans – “Augsburg Confession” • 1555 Catholic and Protestant factions make war • “Peace of Augsburg” – Charles V = each prince decide for territory

Basic Lutheran Beliefs (3) 1. Salvation by faith alone – Not thru “good works” – good works are rewards 2. Bible = only authority – Church traditions are not valid unless explicitly stated in Bible 3. No need for priests – People should interpret the Bible for themselves • “priesthood of all believers” • 2 nd black mark on Luther – Encourages Jews be punished for not converting to Lutheranism – Anti-semitism