1. The Spread of Protestantism

2. Protestant - Originally the term for Luther’s supporters who “protested” against Catholic loyalists in Germany
Reformation - A movement begun in the 1500s to make corrective changes (reforms) to the Catholic Church.

3. What forms of corruption existed within the Church during the Late Middle Ages?
Popes used excommunication to force monarchs to obey the Church.
Many priest were illiterate
Many clergy broke their vows of chastity
Some officials lead lives of luxury and leisure
Some clergy:
Charged repentant Christians to see holy remains and objects
Sold church offices to the highest bidder (simony)
Sold indulgences

4. How was the power of the papacy weakened?
1.) Babylonian Captivity ( )
Philip IV (France) quarreled with pope over his power to tax the clergy
Pope Boniface kidnapped in 1296 and replaced with French pope, Clement V
Seven popes ruled the Church from Avignon, France
Many Christians thought these popes were only puppets of the French king

5. How was the power of the papacy weakened?
2.)The Great Schism ( )
Papacy moved back to Rome in 1376
French cardinals elected a new pope, Clement VII
Both Urban VI and Clement VII claimed to be the rightful pope
Many Christians questioned the authority of the papacy

6. Who were some of the first people to speak out against Church corruption and teachings?
John Wycliffe of England
Thought Christians didn’t need Church or sacraments to achieve salvation
Regarded Bible as most important source of religious authority
Completed first translation of Bible to English
Outcome: the Church persecuted his followers, the Lollards, as heretics

7. Who were some of the first people to speak out against Church corruption and teachings?
Jan Huss of Bohemia
Criticized wealth of Church
Wanted religious services conducted in the language of the worshippers
Opposed the sale of indulgences
Outcome: was burned at stake for refusing to accept importance of church rituals

8. In what other ways did people call for reform?
Catherine of Siena
Popularized mysticism
Believed people could experience God through intense prayer
Outcome: maintained that Christians didn’t need priests, rituals, or sacraments.
Girolamo Savonarola of Florence
Launched crusade against immoral society
Encouraged book burning
Claimed Vatican was filled with sin and corruption
Outcome: was burned at stake by angry citizens of Florence.

9. What was his early life like?
Son of middle-class German parents
Studied law
Became a Catholic monk

10. Why did Luther question Church practices and teaching?
Troubled by idea that salvation was attainable through good works
Interpreted St. Paul to mean that path to salvation was by faith alone
Believed forgiveness for sins could come only from God’s mercy
Angered by Tezel’s sale of indulgence

11. How did his criticisms expand into an effort to form a new church?
Wrote 95 Theses to start debate on Church abuses
Published books and pamphlets questioning Church teachings
Ideas for reform led to a new church:
Congregations choose their own ministers
Worship of saints and holy days was considered sinful
Mass conducted in German instead of Latin
Clergy allowed to marry

12. Why did his reforms create widespread revolt in Germany?
Peasants, believing everyone was equal under God, revolted against lords
Princes, who wanted freedom from the pope, seized Church land
Peace of Augsburg forced many to move in order to worship freely

13. How did Luther’s ideas reflect Humanism?
Why did the Catholic Church see Luther as a threat?

14. What other groups separated from the Catholic Church and formed new religions?
Anabaptists (1525):
Thought Christians should not be baptized until adulthood
Believed true Christians should form a separate community
separation of Church and State; were pacifists (refused to fight in wars).

15. What other groups separated from the Catholic Church and formed new religions?
Anglicans (1534): founded by King Henry VIII of England
King Henry enraged by pope’s decision not to grant him divorce
Believed the monarch, not the pope, was supreme religious authority of England
Broke away, but beliefs were almost the same as the Catholic Church

16. What other groups separated from the Catholic Church and formed new religions?
Calvinists (1546): founded by John Calvin
John Calvin was born in France and was only 12 years old when Martin Luther was standing trial and refusing to recant at the Council of Worms.
But Calvin heard about the controversy and, even at 12, was intrigued by the excommunicated monk Luther’s bold defense of himself and his belief in the Scriptures.
To stand in a courtroom and defend oneself against the powerful Church was an enticing scenario to young Calvin who decides to study law at the University of Paris

17. John Calvin
Believed in predestination (God had predetermined who would obtain salvation)
Thought a disciplined, austere life would prove who had been chosen
Government should be in the hands of religious leaders (a theocracy) and society should be governed by strict laws of morality.

19. Why did Protestantism spread beyond Germany?
Political leaders look for ways to escape power of Catholic Church
People were tired of Church abuses and corruption
Charismatic individuals questioned Church teachings and provided leadership
Rising literacy rate allowed for rapid spread of new ideas