The Protestant Reformation

Protestant

A Christian belonging to a non-Catholic church originating from 16th-century religious actions.

Reformation

A movement for the religious reform of the Catholic Church.

Indulgence

A way to remove sin by paying the Catholic Church money.

Martin Luther

A German monk and professor who started the Protestant Reformation.

95 Theses

Luther's ideas questioning the Catholic Church, posted in Wittenberg in 1517.

Lutheranism

Doctrine teaching salvation by faith alone and that anyone can interpret the Bible.

John Calvin

A Protestant leader in Switzerland who called for strict rules and theocracy.

Predestination

Calvin's theory that God has chosen who goes to heaven from birth.

Henry VIII

English king who broke away from the Pope to annul his marriage.

Anglican Church

Official church of England set up in 1534 by Henry VIII.

Queen Elizabeth I

Daughter of Henry VIII who combined Catholic styles with Protestant teachings.

Causes of the Reformation

Church corruption, declining clergy morality, the printing press, and humanism.

John Wycliffe

An early reformer who translated the Bible into English.

Jan Huss

Early reformer who taught Bible authority over church leaders; burned at stake.

Diet of Worms (1521)

Assembly where Luther refused to recant and was declared an outlaw.

Peasants' Revolt

1524 German peasant uprisings resulting in over 130,000 deaths.

Peace of Augsburg (1555)

Agreement stating each German state's religion would be decided by its ruler.

Counter-Reformation

16th-century Catholic Church movement responding to the Protestant Reformation.

Council of Trent

Meetings of Catholic bishops strengthening traditional practices and doctrines.

Jesuits

Religious order founded by Ignatius Loyola devoted to defending the Catholic faith.

The Index

A list of books prohibited by the Catholic Church.

Inquisition

A Roman Catholic tribunal for investigating and prosecuting heresy.

Johannes Gutenberg

Inventor of the movable-type printing press around 1448.

Effects of the Printing Press

Increased literacy, made books cheaper, and sped up the spread of ideas.

Humanism

Renaissance movement focusing on classical texts, human potential, and achievements.

Joan of Arc

15th-century French peasant girl who led armies and was burned for heresy.

Katharina Schütz Zell

German reformer who published Apologia and aided Protestant refugees.

Argula von Grumbach

Female Lutheran pamphleteer who challenged university authorities.

Marie Dentière

Former nun who advocated for women's religious education and writing.

Queen Marguerite & Queen Jeanne

Royal mother and daughter who protected Protestants and led French Huguenots.

Anne Boleyn

Her relationship with Henry VIII helped trigger England's split from Rome.

Witch Hunts

1400-1700 European hunts targeting 50,000 to 100,000 people, mostly women.

Social Causes of Reformation

Renaissance humanism and secularism led people to question the Church.

Political Causes of Reformation

Monarchs challenged Church power and viewed the pope as a foreign ruler.

Economic Causes of Reformation

Rulers envied Church wealth and merchants resisted paying church taxes.

Religious Causes of Reformation

Corrupt clergy and the sale of indulgences.

Luther's View on Salvation

People win salvation only by faith in God, not good works.

Luther's View on Scripture

Church teachings must be clearly based on the words of the Bible.

Act of Supremacy (1534)

Declared the English monarch head of the Church of England.