17.3 – Luther Leads the Reformation

Causes of the Reformation Renaissance ideas were challenging Church authority Aided by the printing press – WHY? Various states of Europe made it hard to control, especially in Germany Northern merchants resented paying taxes

Beginnings Church viewed as corrupt: Money for wars, pleasurable goods, & the arts Pope Alexander VI fathers children Many priests & monks are poorly educated Men like John Wycliff, Jan Hus, Thomas More, & Desiderius Erasmus fuel these criticisms of the Church

Luther & the 95 Theses Martin Luther – Professor of Scripture at Wittenberg University Faith was key to salvation Luther angered by church practice of selling indulgences (pardons) Johann Tetzel tricks people into thinking they buying their way into Heaven Luther responds w/ the 95 Theses Posts them on the door of a Church & debates them Beginning of the Reformation Rise of churches that don’t accept the pope’s authority

Luther’s Teachings Luther pushed for complete reform of the Church 3 Main Ideas 1) Salvation only by God’s forgiveness 2) All teaching based through the Bible 3) All people with faith were equal Ideas spread rapidly & gain many followers

Response Luther suggests driving out pope by force 1520: Pope Leo X excommunicates Luther Luther burns his warnings Emperor Charles V puts Luther on trial at Worms Luther refuses to recant 1521: Edict of Worms Luther an outlaw & heretic Luther sheltered by Frederick of Saxony 1522: Luther established own religious group called Lutherans

Revolt & War 1524: German peasants revolt against the serfdom Raid, pillage, & burn monasteries Luther appalled, calls for princes to crush the revolt German princes split over teachings Protestants – Lutheran supporters Charles V goes to war against the Protestants; fails to bring them back 1555: Peace of Augsburg Each ruler would decide their state’s religion

Henry VIII Devout Catholic Disagrees w/ Luther’s teachings; named “Defender of the Faith” Problems: Needed an heir Didn’t want war & only had a daughter 1527: Wanted a divorce to have children form another woman Divorce not allowed, asks for marriage to be annulled Pope denies annulment, did not want to offend Charles V Catherine’s nephew

Reformation Parliament 1529: Asks Parliament to pass laws ending papal power in England 1533: Marries Anne Boleyn Parliament approves divorce 1534: Act of Supremacy passed Henry named head of the Church of England Thomas More criticizes Henry; arrested & executed at the Tower of London

Consequences Anne Boleyn doesn’t have a son; charged w/ treason & beheaded 1537: Jane Seymour (3rd) births a son, Edward Jane dies 2 weeks later Henry marries 3 more times = no more children 1547: Henry dies, each child will rule England Protestant reforms added by advisors of Edward VI Mary returns England to the pope Executes protestant resistors

Elizabeth I Wanted a return to Protestantism 1559: Church of England (Anglican) set-up – Compromise Protestants: Priests allowed to marry & use English for sermons Catholics: many traditions kept/revised Establishes relative religious peace Faces push for reforms, overthrow attempts, faces money problems Ideas for American colonies Elizabeth I