Part One

What Caused The Reformation? The Black Death shook people’s faith in the Catholic Church Influence of Catholic Church diminished –Religious crises –Political problems –Corruption and immorality Outspoken critics and reformers

Impact of the Black Death on the Catholic Church Black Death occurred 175 years before Reformation –Many influences indirect Church could not stop the plague, people were unhappy with how the Church handled the crisis Plague sparked the Renaissance, which encouraged humanist thinking –Scientific Revolution led to logical thinking, self discovery –Reorganized economy, gave wealthy people more power and they began to compete with the Church

A Crisis of Faith – Abuses in the Catholic Church Pope Leo X wanted to raise money to build St. Peter’s Basilica He allowed priests to sell indulgences –Indulgences are pardons people can buy to reduce a soul’s time in purgatory –Catholics believed that when people died they went to purgatory to work off the sins they had committed The sale of indulgences was very unpopular

Saint Peter’s Basilica

Other Abuses Some priests, monks, and nuns lived a lavish lifestyle in palaces by using money collected from church goers Some priests had children even though they took a vow of celibacy Some members of the clergy abused their power

A Turn in the Political Tide Royal power grew very strong as monarchies gained more territory and wealth Some kings were almost as powerful as the pope and they didn’t like Church’s influence in their business Some thought the Catholic Church shouldn’t participate so much in world affairs More people had moved to cities, looked to kings for protection and pledged their loyalty to the leader of the region

Martin Luther

Why is Martin Luther so important? Very religious monk and professor Grew disillusioned with the Church –Furious with Johann Tetzel selling indulgences to rebuild a church Wrote 95 theses (arguments) against selling indulgences –Nailed them to door of cathedral for all to read Questioned Church’s authority to save souls

Reaction to the 95 Theses Sparked intense debate across Europe Church demanded Luther recant his ideas –Luther refused –Pope excommunicated Luther, Holy Roman emperor made him an outlaw Luther’s influence continued to spread, especially after his supporters used the printing press to make copies of the 95 theses

Luther’s Beliefs Faith alone will lead a person to salvation –Catholic Church required good deeds to get into heaven The Bible is the only source of religious truth and teachings –Pope and Church have no influence All Christians have equal access to God –There is no need for a priest or other intermediary, like the pope

Luther’s Legacy Caused Church control in Europe to decline Divided European population almost in half Spurred more people to break away from the Catholic Church

Writing Assignment Write an obituary of Martin Luther. The obituary should list key events in Luther’s life and explain why he will be remembered. Write either from the perspective of the Catholic Church or from the perspective of a supporter of Luther 250 word minimum