The Great Schism The Roman Catholic Church was divided from 1378—1417 At this time there were two popes. Powerful French kings had influence over men chosen to be the pope --One of the popes moved his residence to Avignon, France. --Other Europeans resented the influence of the French Another pope was elected in Italy Now there were two popes --- each claimed to have power over the Church. --This split known as The Great Schism; it caused confusion and doubt among Christian followers. -- As a result of the split, the Church was weakened. The Holy Roman Emperor convened a conference to end the Great Schism. Both popes were removed and new pope was selected. The pope’s residence returned to Rome and the new pope began to reunify the Church.

Church Corruption After the end of the Great Schism, there was distrust between the followers and the Church. The Church required large sums of money to maintain itself; Critics and reformers were angered by ways the Church earned and spent its money. Criticism: People outside of Italy resented paying taxes to the Church and were angered because the Church paid no taxes on its landholdings. People objected to the sale of indulgences --Certificates issued by the pope that were intended to reduce or cancel a person’s sins so they could get into heaven. Popes and high Church officials spent money on the arts, as patrons, and on their own personal pleasures. Reformers spoke out against church corruption.

Martin Luther and The Reformation He studied to become a lawyer; after a near death experience, he vowed to become a monk. He believed people could be saved only if they had faith in God. Luther’s ideas were in conflict with the Church. He disapproved of the selling of indulgences. He wrote out his disputes with the Church (The Ninety-Five Theses) --Luther hoped to begin a debate about church abuses. Luther was eventually excommunicated and threatened with death. His beliefs were spread with the help of the printing press; his beliefs led to a reform movement known as Protestantism.

The Counter Reformation “counter” means against The Catholic Church began new policies to stop the spread of Protestantism. Council of Trent—met to reform and define the Catholic belief system. New religious orders formed --The Jesuits (The Society of Jesus) founded by Ignatius Loyola * education was a balance between faith and reason * studied languages to help spread Catholic teachings Church used the Inquisition to “investigate” people who had “wandered away from the faith.” (Catholic teachings) Church created lists of books considered to be a threat to the Church --The books were burned so no one could read them

Expansion of Christianity Christian groups sent members to foreign countries to do religious work. Catholic Church relied on religious orders to do missionary work (Jesuits, Dominicans) Protestants spread their faith by establishing settlements overseas. Both groups sought diffusion of Christianity. Catholic missionaries traveled with explorers and travelers intending to convert native people to the Christian faith. Native Americans did not fully accept Christianity; instead they blended their beliefs with Christianity. The first Protestant settlement was founded in Virginia in 1607.

Reformers John Whycliffe (English) questioned the pope’s right to levy taxes and appoint church officials without the consent of the king. Desiderius Erasmus (Dutch) criticized the Church for neglecting Christian values; criticized reformers for wanting to divide the Church. Martin Luther (German) believed that people could be saved by putting their faith in God; objected to sale of indulgences. John Calvin (French) his beliefs were called Calvinism; believed Christians could do nothing to earn salvation; thought God had predetermined who would be saved. Henry VIII (English) not considered a reformer but his actions when divorcing his wife led to the establishment of the Church of England.

Terms reform: to change reformer: a person who wants to make changes The Great Schism: a split within the Catholic Church causing the selection of two popes indulgences: certificates issued by the Church that were supposed to reduce or cancel a person’s sins Protestant: a person who broke away from the Catholic Church because they disagreed with its teachings Reformation: a reform movement that opposed the actions of the Roman Catholic Church predestination: Calvin’s belief that God had already chosen people who would receive salvation Jesuit: a religious order establish by Ignatius Loyola; the members of the order traveled with explorers and helped convert people to the Roman Catholic faith Counter Reformation: the attempt by the Roman Catholic Church to reform itself. missionary: a person who spreads a faith they believe in convert: a person who adopts a new religion

The Legacy of the Reformation is located on a separate slide in the Reformation folder. Add that slide to the Expansion of Christianity tab, if you were absent on March 29.