1. Luther Leads the Reformation

2. Setting the Stage
By the tenth century, the Roman Catholic Church had come to dominate religious life in Northern and Western Europe. However, the Church had not won universal approval. Over the centuries, many people criticized its practices. They felt that Church leaders were too interested in worldly pursuits, such as gaining wealth and political power. Even though the Church made some reforms during the Middle Ages, people continued to criticize it. Prompted by the actions of one man, that criticism would lead to rebellion.

3. Criticisms of the Church
Merchants didn’t want to pay church taxes
New ideas of the Renaissance
Individualism and secular ideas challenged Church authority
Corrupt leaders
Patronized the arts, spent extravagantly, fought wars

4. Luther Challenges the Church
Monk and taught scripture at the University of Wittenberg
Friar Johann Tetzel was raising money to rebuild St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome
Sold indulgences- pardon from a penalty priests imposed for sins
Gave impression these would buy sinners way into heaven

5. Luther Challenges the Church
Luther writes the 95 Theses- attack on the pardons being issued
Posted it on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg
Invited scholars to debate him
Someone copied it at a printing press and it spread throughout Germany

6. Luther Challenges the Church
Begins the Reformation- movement for religious reform
Led to Christian churches that did not accept the pope’s authority

7. Luther’s Teachings
Win salvation only by faith in God’s gift of forgiveness
All church teachings should be based on the Bible
All people with faith were equal

8. Response to Luther Pope Leo X excommunicated him
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, in the Edict of Worms, declares Luther an outlaw and heretic

9. Response to Luther
Prince Frederick the Wise of Saxony shelters Luther in his castle
Luther returns a year later to Wittenberg and finds his ideas were already being put into practice
Forms a separate religious group called Lutherans

10. Responses in Germany
Peasants revolt applying Luther’s ideas to society
Some Germany princes join with the pope to fight Luther
Others sign a protest against this union and support Luther
Become known as Protestants
Eventually this means all Christians who belonged to non-Catholic churches

11. Peace of Augsburg
After years of fighting, Charles V ordered all princes to Augsburg
Said each ruler could decide the religion of his state

12. England Becomes Protestant
Henry VIII needs a son to take the throne
His wife Catherine was 42
Henry wants a divorce to find a younger queen to have more children with
Pope rejects his request to annul his marriage
Doesn’t want to upset Catherine’s nephew- Emperor Charles V

13. England Becomes Protestant
Reformation Parliament- set of laws Henry passed ending the pope’s power in England
1533- Henry secretly marries Anne Boleyn
Parliament approves the Act of Supremacy
People take an oath recognizing Henry as official head of England’s Church

14. Results of Henry’s Actions
Anne had a daughter, Elizabeth
Henry was enraged and eventually had her arrested and executed
Marries Jane Seymour
Has son, Edward
Jane dies two weeks later, Henry marries 3 more times
All 3 of Henry’s children ruled

15. Edward’s Rule Edward took over at 9 years old
Adult advisors pushed Protestant reforms
Edward only reigned for 6 years
Constantly ill

16. Mary’s Rule Catholic and returned English Church to rule of the pope
Many resisted
Mary had them executed

17. Elizabeth’s Rule Returned England to Protestantism
Church of England, or Anglican Church, established
Only legal church in England
Church was moderate to accommodate both Catholics and Protestants
Priests could marry, delivered sermons in English
Rich robes, services kept in Catholic style