World History The Reformation in Europe Lesson 1

*Humanists wanted Church leaders to be more spiritual and less worldly. They also objected to veneration of relics and the buying and selling of indulgences. People were critical of the Church.

2. Why did Christian humanists call for reform in the Church?

*Martin Luther was a Catholic monk and professor. His idea of justification (salvation) by faith alone was the chief teaching of the Protestant Reformation. He believed human beings were powerless in the sight of God.

3. Who was Martin Luther, and what idea of his became the chief teaching of the Protestant Reformation?

*Luther issued his Ninety-five Theses on October 31, 1517, in Wittenberg, Germany. He is said to have nailed them to the door of the Castle Church there. He was attacking the sale of indulgences.

4. Where and when did Martin Luther issue his Ninety-five Theses?

*He was made an outlaw and excommunicated because he wanted to overthrow the papacy, attacked the Church's system of sacraments, and promoted salvation through faith alone.

5. Why was Luther made an outlaw within the Holy Roman Empire (Called the Edict of Worms)?

Lutheranism, Luther's doctrine, became the first Protestant faith. Luther called on German princes to overthrow the papacy in Germany and establish a reformed German Church. He also called for the clergy to marry.

6. What was the first Protestant faith?

*Charles V wanted to keep the empire united and under the control of his Hapsburg dynasty. He felt the Reformation would disrupt the political and social order.

7. Why did Charles V oppose the Reformation?

*Charles V's main rival was Francis I, the king of France. Charles also faced opposition from the Lutheran princes in Germany and the Ottoman Turks.

8. Who offered opposition to the rule of Charles V?

*Desiderius Erasmus was the best-known Christian humanist. He believed that Christianity should show people how to live good lives. He thought that if people would read the classics (Bible, etc) they would become more religious.

1. Who was the best-known Christian humanist, and what did he believe?

*Christian humanism's goal to reform the Catholic Church; Martin Luther's criticism of the Church's corrupt and worldly practices; the rise of Lutheranism; the political struggles of Charles V.

10. What factors combined to foster a religious reformation in Europe?

*The end to religious warfare in Germany came in 1555 with the Peace of Augsburg. This agreement formally accepted the division of Christianity in Germany. Germans were free to choose between Catholicism and Lutheranism.

9. How and when did the end to religious warfare in Germany come, and what did this mean for Christianity?