2.  During Ren. People began to question religious beliefs & practices.  People began to protest the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). People called Protestants.  Protestants demand RCC change or reform. Demand for change called Reformation.  All of this led to new branch of Christianity = Protestantism Reformation

3.  1517 Martin Luther criticized RCC 1. Indulgences – a promise by RCC that with a $ donation to Church, sins were forgiven. 2. Nepotism – only hired relatives and family for RCC jobs. 3. Luther also said, go to heaven by faith not by giving $. 4. Bible was only guide not Church leaders. Should read Bible yourself. ?

4.  Luther excommunicated but continued to speak out. His ideas spread.  People divided into Luther supporters = Protestants and RCC supporters = Catholics.  Kings chose sides.  Spread of Protestantism threatened power & control of RCC.

5.  Due to power loss of RCC, Pope tried to change or reform ways: 1. Stopped indulgences 2. Trained people to teach and travel to New World But damage to RCC reputation and division among people didn’t change…

6.  Protestants and Catholics went to war.  Long, bloody battles between nations lasted for years.