The Protestant Reformation

Causes of the Protestant Reformation Long Term Causes Roman Catholic Church becomes more worldly Humanists urged a return to simple religion Strong national monarchs emerge Immediate Causes Johann Tetzel sells indulgences in Wittenberg Martin Luther posts 95 Theses Luther will translate the Bible into German Printing press will allow reform ideas to spread

Renaissance Popes: Alexander VI Personal Facts Born Rodrigo Borgia in 1431, the nephew of the Pope. Served as vice chancellor of the Roman Catholic Church, which led to tremendous wealth. Chosen as Pope in Fathered a number of children, appointing his son to the position of cardinal and arranged beneficial marriages and government positions for his children. Patronized the arts, established University of Rome

Renaissance Popes: Alexander VI Religious Facts Created new positions within the Roman Catholic Church. Instead of appointing good men to these positions in the Church, he sold them. His son Juan was murdered, which will lead Pope Alexander VI to institute reforms. Rules were clarified that the men of the Church had to give up politics, women and wealth These rules were soon ignored by everyone, including Alexander. Came in conflict with the King of France, Charles VIII. Charles VIII believed that the Pope should not be involved in warfare Charles threatened to call a council to review Alexander’s work

Renaissance Popes: Alexander VI Secular Facts Spain and Portugal were fighting over territory in the New World Alexander VI will get involved in this conflict by declaring a line of demarcation, which will divide the new world into two territories Given that Alexander VI was Spanish, he gave more territory to them.

Renaissance Popes: Julius II Personal Facts Born Giuliano della Rovere in 1443, the nephew of the Pope. Held 8 bishop positions, in which he earned a comfortable living, before he was appointed cardinal by his uncle Pope Sixtus IV. He fathered a daughter, and arranged for the mother to be married to another man to make her more respectable. Gave family members positions in the church and in the government.

Renaissance Popes: Leo X Personal Facts Born Giovanni de Medici in 1475, the son of Lorenzo de Medici the ruler of Florence. Due to his fathers political power, Giovanni was granted positions within the Roman Catholic Church at a young age. He voted against Pope Alexander VI’s appointment as pope. He was selected as pope in 1513, after the death of Julius II. Fought the French and Spanish over land, was forced into signing agreements to weaken control of the church in these territories.

Renaissance Popes: Leo X Religious Facts Opened a council to review problems within the Roman Catholic Church, but nothing really changed. Rebuilding of Rome Throughout the Middle Ages the city of Rome had been forgotten and unattended. Many popes before Leo X will lay the groundwork for the improvements of Rome, but none will do as much as Leo X. Building projects will be rather costly, forcing the Church to look into ways of fundraising.

Martin Luther Challenges the Roman Catholic Church To pay for the rebuilding of Rome, the church looked to outside sources for money. Church increased fees for services such as marriages and baptisms Indulgences -lessening of the time a soul would have to spend in purgatory In the Middle Ages, the Church had granted indulgences for doing good deeds. As a way of raising money for the rebuilding of Rome, some individuals started selling indulgences. In 1517, a priest named Johann Tetzel started selling indulgences, promising entry into heaven for anyone who donated as well as their dead relatives.

95 Theses Martin Luther was outraged over Tetzel’s actions. He wrote the 95 Theses, or arguments against the church. He posted his list on the door of the church Luther’s Argument He argued that indulgences had no basis in the Bible, and the Pope had no authority to release a persons soul from purgatory Bible is the ultimate source of authority People should be able to read the Bible for themselves, calling on the Bible to be translated into vernacular languages. Christians can be saved through faith alone. Priesthood of all believers

The Impact of the 95 Theses Pope Leo X will excommunicate Martin Luther from the church He will declare him an outlaw in an attempt to silence him. The printing press will allow Luther’s teachings to become much more widespread. Throughout Europe people will renounce the authority of the pope. Martin Luther will lead the way for other individuals to stand up against the church.