Cultural Transformations: Religion 1450-1750

The Globalization of Christianity In 1500, Christendom was in Europe and divided between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy On the defensive against Islam

The Protestant Reformation 1517, Martin Luther wrote Ninety-Five Theses Theological debate: Salvation by faith alone, everyone can read and interpret the Bible, Bible not Pope is the authority Politically: Some political leaders saw this schism in church as a way to take more power and land from the RCC Socially: Middle-class saw it as a way to express opposition to the social order Did not provide new freedoms for women: convents closed in Protestant areas, Mary not worshipped, literacy increased though

Continued… Printing press: Johann Gutenberg Variety of Protestant churches: different kinds in different states (Lutheran, Calvinist, Anglican, Anabaptist…..later some of these would split too) War in France: 1562-1598, Catholics vs. Protestants (Huguenots), St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre in 1572, Edict of Nantes by Henry IV, religious tolerance Thirty Years’ War: 1618-1648, started in HRE, almost 1/3 of German population died, Peace of Westphalia, each state is sovereign Counter Reformation: Council of Trent 1545-1563, reaffirm beliefs, end abused and corruption, crackdown on heretics

Christianity Outward Bound “In search of Christians and of spices” God, Gold, Glory Spread of Christianity goes hand and hand with empire building Missionaries

Conversion and Adaptation in Spanish America Religion of the victors---their God is more powerful Women had no role in RCC. Convents for Spanish women in America. Christianity was exclusive, should not blend traditional ideas or rituals. Those who continued to practice their old ways were punished. Still there was resistance. Taki Onqoy: Peru, dancing teachers, called people to turn against Spanish and Christianity, their gods would have revenge There was blending. Veneration of Saints

China and the Jesuits Chinese had not been conquered by Christians, so different from America Missionaries had to have permission from Emperor to be in China Jesuits aimed at the elite Matteo Ricci (in China 1582-1610), learned Chinese, studied Confucianism, dressed like Chinese scholars, different approach to conversion—not force but exchange of ideas No massive conversion---not really needed and it was “all-or-nothing” Emperor Kangxi forbid Christianity in 1715 due to Pope’s challenge to not blend religious ideas Some Chinese also questioned Christian beliefs and saw them as uneducated and lower class (superstition, cannibalism, rebellion?)

Persistence and Change in Afro-Asian Cultural Traditions Christianity was not the only religion expanding or transforming African ideas spread to Americas, syncretic religions formed pulling in Christian ideas Islam, China, India

Expansion and Renewal in the Islamic World Islam continued to spread by Sufis, Islamic scholars, and traders. Diversity of belief and practice, syncretism Wahhabi Movement: Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, upset about idolatry, backed by Ibn Saud in Arabia, women’s rights

China: New Directions in an Old Tradition During Ming and Qing dynasties Confucianism continued Neo-Confucianism: blended in ideas of Buddhism and Daoism, anyone could achieve a virtuous life by inspection and contemplation without the extended education, withdrawal from the world was not needed to reach enlightenment Kaozheng: research based on evidence, seek truth from facts, scientific approach to the study of the past Entertainment: paintings, plays, novels, teahouses, etc.

India: Bridging the Hindu/Muslim Divide Hindu majority under Muslim Mughal rule Bhakti: devotional form of Hindu, Mirabai Sikhism: founded by Nanak, “there is no Hindu; there is no Muslim; only God”, Guru Granth (teacher book)