1. The Reformation What does reformation mean?
To reform something is to change it, in order to make it better.
During the Renaissance, as people became more aware of the world, their place in it, and the possibility of human potential, the Catholic church began to be criticized by many people. These people thought the Catholic church should be reformed.
Protestant Reformation: a 16th century European movement for religious reform that led to the foundation of churches that rejected the authority of the Pope.

2. Criticism of the Catholic Church
Church leaders were too interested in secular power and economic wealth, and not interested enough in religion.
Church leaders were accused of corruption; many of them lived lavish lifestyles, consumed alcohol, or fathered children.
As the printing press made access to the Bible easier for common people, they relied less on priests to help them establish a spiritual relationship with god.
Urbanization improved the economy, and merchants disliked paying taxes to the Pope in Rome.

3. Causes of the Reformation
Social Causes
Political Causes
Economic Causes
Religious Causes
The Renaissance values of humanism and secularism led people to question the authority of the church.
The printing press helped to spread ideas and writings that were critical of the church.
Powerful kings challenged the Church as the supreme power in Europe.
Many kings viewed the Pope as a foreign leader and challenged his authority.
As the economy of Europe grew stronger, people did not want to pay taxes to the Pope in Rome.
European kings were jealous of the Pope’s wealth.
Some church leaders became corrupt (living fancy lifestyles, fathering children, and allowing people to buy forgiveness for their sins).
People thought that religious leaders should focus more on spiritual matters, and less on political power.

4. Divisions in the Christian Church
The Early Christian Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
Roman Catholic Church
Protestantism
Lutheranism
Calvinism
Anglicanism

5. Martin Luther A German monk and teacher
Protested against the church selling indulgences (pardons that released people from performing penalties for their sins)
Wrote the 95 Theses, formal statements attacking the actions of the church
The 95 Theses were quickly reprinted and spread throughout Europe, beginning the Reformation movement for religious reform

6. Luther’s Ideas for Reform
The Catholic Church
Martin Luther
Good works and faith could win you salvation
Religious authority comes from tradition and the Pope’s teachings
Priests should interpret the words of the Bible for the people
Only faith could win you salvation
Religious authority can only be found in the words of the Bible
Priests were not needed to interpret the Bible
Whose ideas do you agree with more? Those of the Catholic Church, or those of the Protestant, Martin Luther?

7. Luther’s Reformation
Luther was excommunicated from the Catholic Church for his teachings.
His followers became known as Lutherans.
All people who protested the actions of the Pope became known as Protestants.

8. John Calvin A French follower of Luther
Published a book that summarized the beliefs of Protestants called “Institutes of the Christian Religion”
Followers of Calvin were called Calvinists

9. Calvin’s Ideas for Reform
Calvin believed in predestination (the idea that a “select” group of people were chosen by God for salvation; there was nothing you could do to change this destiny)
Calvin believed an ideal society should be theocratic (the government should be ruled by religious leaders)
Calvin thought people should wear dark clothing, devote their lives to religious study, and follow strict moral behavior

10. (one daughter, Elizabeth)
Henry VIII of England
Catherine of Aragon
(one daughter, Mary)
4. Anne of Cleves
(no children)
Anne Boleyn
(one daughter, Elizabeth)
5. Catherine Howard
(no children)
King Henry also opposed the Catholic church, because they did not allow divorce…. Henry had six wives!!!
6. Catherine Parr
(no children)
3. Jane Seymour
(one son, Edward)

11. Henry’s 1st Wife
Henry VIII became King of England in He married Catherine of Aragon (daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, and Catholic). Catherine of Aragon had one daughter, Mary.
As Catherine grew older and no male child was born, Henry decided he wanted to divorce her and marry another.
One problem… The Catholic Church does not permit divorce.
Henry asked the Pope to allow his divorce, but the Pope refused.
Henry VIII
Catherine of Aragon
Mary

12. Henry’s 2nd Wife Henry forms a New Church
In defiance of the Pope, Henry and the English government passed a series of laws allowing him to divorce Catherine of Aragon.
He began his own church, the Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church.
He also quickly married a much younger woman, Anne Boleyn. Anne and Henry had a daughter, Elizabeth.
However, when Anne did not produce a son, Henry had her head cut off.
Henry VIII
Anne Boleyn
Elizabeth

13. Additional Wives of Henry VIII
Henry’s third wife, Jane Seymour, had a son named Edward. But Jane died two weeks after Edward’s birth.
Henry married three other women:
Anne of Cleves (divorced from Henry)
Catherine Howard (also beheaded)
Catherine Parr (married to Henry until his death)
Henry VIII
Jane Seymour
Edward

14. Religion In England after Henry’s death:
1. Edward
(Protestant)
2. Mary
(Catholic)
3. Elizabeth
(Protestant)
Edward took the throne at the age of 9 and was heavily influenced by his Protestant advisors. He died at age 15.
Elizabeth took the throne after Mary left no heir. She returned England to Protestantism and began an era of religious peace and cultural expression known as the “Elizabethan Era.”
Mary took the throne after Edwards death and returned England to Catholic rule. She executed Protestants, earning the name “Bloody Mary.”

15. Divisions in the Christian Church
The Early Christian Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
Roman Catholic Church
Protestantism
Lutheranism
Calvinism
Anglicanism