Luther Leads the Reformation

Setting the Stage By the tenth century, the Roman Catholic Church had come to dominate religious life in Northern and Western Europe. However, the Church had not won universal approval. Over the centuries, many people criticized its practices. They felt that Church leaders were too interested in worldly pursuits, such as gaining wealth and political power. Even though the Church made some reforms during the Middle Ages, people continued to criticize it. Prompted by the actions of one man, that criticism would lead to rebellion.

Criticisms of the Church Merchants didn’t want to pay church taxes New ideas of the Renaissance Individualism and secular ideas challenged Church authority Corrupt leaders Patronized the arts, spent extravagantly, fought wars

Luther Challenges the Church Monk and taught scripture at the University of Wittenberg Friar Johann Tetzel was raising money to rebuild St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome Sold indulgences- pardon from a penalty priests imposed for sins Gave impression these would buy sinners way into heaven

Luther Challenges the Church Luther writes the 95 Theses- attack on the pardons being issued Posted it on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg Invited scholars to debate him Someone copied it at a printing press and it spread throughout Germany

Luther Challenges the Church Begins the Reformation- movement for religious reform Led to Christian churches that did not accept the pope’s authority

Luther’s Teachings Win salvation only by faith in God’s gift of forgiveness All church teachings should be based on the Bible All people with faith were equal

Response to Luther Pope Leo X excommunicated him Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, in the Edict of Worms, declares Luther an outlaw and heretic

Response to Luther Prince Frederick the Wise of Saxony shelters Luther in his castle Luther returns a year later to Wittenberg and finds his ideas were already being put into practice Forms a separate religious group called Lutherans

Responses in Germany Peasants revolt applying Luther’s ideas to society Some Germany princes join with the pope to fight Luther Others sign a protest against this union and support Luther Become known as Protestants Eventually this means all Christians who belonged to non-Catholic churches

Peace of Augsburg After years of fighting, Charles V ordered all princes to Augsburg Said each ruler could decide the religion of his state

England Becomes Protestant Henry VIII needs a son to take the throne His wife Catherine was 42 Henry wants a divorce to find a younger queen to have more children with Pope rejects his request to annul his marriage Doesn’t want to upset Catherine’s nephew- Emperor Charles V

England Becomes Protestant Reformation Parliament- set of laws Henry passed ending the pope’s power in England 1533- Henry secretly marries Anne Boleyn Parliament approves the Act of Supremacy People take an oath recognizing Henry as official head of England’s Church

Results of Henry’s Actions Anne had a daughter, Elizabeth Henry was enraged and eventually had her arrested and executed Marries Jane Seymour Has son, Edward Jane dies two weeks later, Henry marries 3 more times All 3 of Henry’s children ruled

Edward’s Rule Edward took over at 9 years old Adult advisors pushed Protestant reforms Edward only reigned for 6 years Constantly ill

Mary’s Rule Catholic and returned English Church to rule of the pope Many resisted Mary had them executed

Elizabeth’s Rule Returned England to Protestantism Church of England, or Anglican Church, established Only legal church in England Church was moderate to accommodate both Catholics and Protestants Priests could marry, delivered sermons in English Rich robes, services kept in Catholic style