Unit 4, Day 2

Unit 4, Day 3

Humanism – During the middle ages people were heaven focused. Humanism wanted to learn more about life here on earth, not just in heaven. The often made governments and the Catholic church angry. Erasmus (a priest) made fun of the churches “folly.” Thomas Moore criticized the king of England.

The Printing Press: for the first time, people have access to books. Johann Gutenberg invented a movable type. He made the bible accessible to all people. He printed them in French, German, English, and Latin.

Became a monk and never felt that he was good enough.

He saw church practices that he felt were incompatible with the Bible: Indulgences: priests would “sell” penances for the living and the dead so that they would not have to spend as much time in purgatory. Luther felt that this was like buying and selling salvation.

So…on October 31, 1517, Luther posted 95 Thesis on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany. These stated the wrongs of the Catholic Church

An official prosecution was held against Luther. He barely escaped with is life and was excommunicated. He never wanted to start his own denomination, let alone religious division – He wanted to reform the Catholic Church and remain part of it.

Luther became a controversial person in Germany. He wrote about a inner release from guilt – he was not a social revolutionary. In 1524 and 1525, peasants revolted against their lords. Luther condemned them and encouraged the German Princes to crush the revolt – 100,000 peasants died.

Also opposed the sale of indulgence and priests’ celibacy. His reformation: whatever lacked literal support in Scripture was to be neither believed nor practiced. At first on board with Luther, but after a debate, they went their opposite ways…and today we have different denominations.

They believed that Luther and Zwingli were wrong about baptism. If you came to “true faith” (not Catholic faith) you need to be baptized again. Decedents are the Amish and Mennonites.

He lived in Switzerland. He heard Luther’s criticism of the Catholic Church and agreed – however, he disagreed with some of Luther’s teachings. Mainly he disagreed with Luther’s interpretation of communion and baptism.

Calvin tried to create a “heaven on earth” So religious leaders began ruling towns in Switzerland. They had religious laws with harsh punishments if you broke them. Laws like no dancing and no pictures in church.

Henry was a staunch Catholic He even wrote a document refuting Luther’s teachings for the Catholic Church. However he ran into trouble…get ready for a “Days of Our Lives” sequence…

Henry’s brother died…his wife, Catherine was a match made for political reasons. So Henry married her to keep political ties. But…he was marrying his brothers wife, so he needed special permission from the pope.

Catherine didn’t have any baby boys (Henry thought he needed a male ruler). So he wanted to get an annulment (she was also 15 years older than him) But to do that they would need the pope’s permission again.

Now though, the Pope was controlled by the Holy Roman Emperor – Catherine’s nephew. So Henry just starts his own church so that he is able to get a divorce. Anglican and Episcopalian Churches Married Ann Boleyn…in fact he married again many times over: Divorced – Beheaded –Died – Divorced – Beheaded – Outlived.

In all those marriages, Henry never had a baby boy who lived. However two of his daughters ruled England and were arguable the strongest leaders England has ever had: Bloody Mary (Catherine’s daughter who killed all the Protestants) Queen Elizabeth (Anne’s daughter, a Protestant)

Defenestration of Prague: Defenestration: throwing people out of a window Bunch of Protestants threw the Catholics out of a window. Protestants were like – haha Catholics landed in dung pile and so they thought God saved them.