Unit 2 - Protestant Reformation; Religious Wars; Exploration

Holy Roman Empire

A political entity consisting of hundreds of autonomous states with a weak central government, allowing the Reformation to thrive.

Martin Luther

A key figure in the Reformation whose ideas gained traction among German princes seeking independence from papal authority.

Charles V

Holy Roman Emperor (r. 1519–1556) who aimed to maintain Catholic unity and faced significant challenges from the Reformation.

Augsburg Confession

A document presented by Lutheran princes in 1530 outlining Lutheran beliefs, rejected by Charles V.

Peace of Augsburg (1555)

Treaty that recognized Lutheranism and allowed rulers to determine their territories' religion, establishing "Cuius regio, eius religio."

English Reformation

A movement initiated by King Henry VIII's desire for an annulment, leading to the Church of England's separation from papal authority.

Pilgrimage of Grace

A significant uprising in 1536 against Henry VIII's Reformation, reflecting public resistance to changes.

Elizabeth I

Queen who adopted a middle path in religion, establishing the Anglican Church with moderate Protestant reforms.

Council of Trent (1545-1563)

A key Catholic response to the Reformation, affirming Catholic doctrines and initiating internal reforms.

Thirty Years' War (1618-1648)

A devastating conflict in Europe primarily driven by religious tensions between Catholics and Protestants.

Edict of Nantes (1598)

Issued by Henry of Navarre, granting religious freedoms to Huguenots and ending the French Wars of Religion.

Society of Jesus (Jesuits)

A Catholic order founded by Ignatius Loyola focused on education, missionary work, and defending the faith.

Baroque Art

An artistic movement characterized by dramatic expression and emotional intensity, flourishing during the 17th century.

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

Agreement dividing newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal, impacting colonial expansion.

Columbian Exchange

The vast transfer of crops, animals, and diseases between the New and Old Worlds following European exploration.

Encomienda System

A labor system in Spanish colonies that forced indigenous people to work under harsh conditions.

Transatlantic Slave Trade

The forced transportation of millions of Africans to the Americas for labor, particularly in sugar plantations.

Casta System

A hierarchical classification in colonial Latin America based on racial ancestry, with "pure" Spanish blood at the top.

Michel de Montaigne

A philosopher who questioned European superiority and emphasized the value of indigenous cultures.

Scientific Racism

The use of physical differences to justify social hierarchies, emerging in the 1700s as a result of European exploration.