AP European History unit 2 vocab

Indulgences

Payments made to the Catholic Church to reduce punishment for sins.

Reformation

A 16th-century movement to reform the Catholic Church that led to the rise of Protestantism.

Martin Luther

A German monk who started the Protestant Reformation by challenging Church practices.

Johann Tetzel

A monk known for selling indulgences to raise money for the Church.

Erasmus

A humanist scholar who criticized Church corruption but remained Catholic.

Thomas More

An English humanist who opposed Henry VIII’s split from the Church and was executed.

95 Theses

Martin Luther’s list of criticisms of the Catholic Church, nailed to a church door in 1517.

Diet of Worms

A meeting in 1521 where Luther refused to recant his teachings.

Charles V

Holy Roman Emperor who opposed the Reformation and tried to stop Protestantism.

Primacy of Scripture

The belief that the Bible is the highest authority in Christianity.

Faith Alone

Luther’s belief that faith, not good works, brings salvation.

Priesthood of all believers

The idea that all Christians have direct access to God without priests.

John Calvin

A reformer who developed the idea of predestination and led the Reformation in Geneva.

Predestination

The belief that God has already chosen who will be saved.

The Elect

Those chosen by God for salvation according to Calvinist belief.

Geneva

City where Calvin built a strict Protestant community.

German Peasant’s War

A revolt inspired by Reformation ideas that Luther condemned.

Anabaptists

A Protestant group that believed in adult baptism and separation from government.

Twelve Articles

A list of demands by German peasants during their 1524–1525 revolt.

Vernacular Bibles

Translations of the Bible into local languages so ordinary people could read them.

Puritans

English Protestants who wanted to purify the Church of England from Catholic practices.

Polish Nobles

Powerful landowners in Poland who supported religious tolerance.

Warsaw Confederation

A 1573 agreement granting religious freedom in Poland.

Huguenots

French Protestants influenced by Calvinist ideas.

Union of Utrecht

Alliance of northern Dutch provinces that broke from Catholic Spain.

Jan Hus

A Czech reformer who criticized the Church before Luther and was executed.

Hussites

Followers of Jan Hus who sought church reforms.

Lollards

Followers of John Wycliffe who wanted the Bible in English and criticized Church wealth.

John Wycliffe

An English reformer who translated the Bible into English.

Zwingli

A Swiss reformer who rejected many Catholic practices and simplified worship.

Simony

The buying or selling of Church positions.

Anglican Church

The Church of England formed by Henry VIII after breaking from Rome.

Henry VIII

English king who split from the Catholic Church to form the Church of England.

Act of Supremacy

Law declaring Henry VIII the head of the Church of England.

Concordat of Bologna

Agreement giving the French king control over Church appointments in France.

Elizabeth I

English queen who established a moderate Protestant Church.

Elizabethan Settlement

A compromise that made the Church of England Protestant but kept some Catholic traditions.

Peace of Augsburg

1555 treaty allowing German princes to choose Catholicism or Lutheranism for their states.

Catherine de Medici

French queen who tried to balance power between Catholics and Huguenots.

Henry of Navarre

A Huguenot leader who became King Henry IV of France and converted to Catholicism.

St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

1572 killing of thousands of Huguenots in France.

Henry III

French king during the Wars of Religion who was assassinated.

War of the Three Henrys

A conflict between Henry III, Henry of Navarre, and Henry of Guise.

Henry IV

Former Huguenot who became king and issued the Edict of Nantes.

Edict of Nantes

1598 law granting religious tolerance to Huguenots.

Religious Pluralism

The acceptance of multiple religious beliefs in one society.

Ottoman Empire

A Muslim empire that was a political and military rival to Christian Europe.

Thirty Years’ War

A major European conflict over religion, politics, and power (1618–1648).

Cardinal Richelieu

French minister who strengthened royal power and supported Protestants for political reasons.

Peace of Westphalia

1648 treaty ending the Thirty Years’ War and recognizing state sovereignty.

Politiques

Leaders who prioritized political stability over religious differences.

Holy Office

Church institution enforcing Catholic doctrine and fighting heresy.

Catholic Reformation

The Catholic Church’s response to the Protestant Reformation.

Roman Inquisition

Church court that tried and punished heretics in Italy.

Spanish Inquisition

Harsh court aimed at enforcing Catholic faith in Spain.

Index of Prohibited Books

A list of books banned by the Catholic Church.

Ignatius Loyola

Founder of the Jesuits, who focused on education and missionary work.

Jesuits

A Catholic religious order dedicated to education and spreading the faith.

Ursulines

A religious order of women focused on educating girls.

Teresa of Avila

A Spanish nun who reformed the Carmelite order.

Council of Trent

A Catholic council that clarified Church doctrine and reformed practices.

Primogeniture

The right of the eldest son to inherit the family estate.

House of Lords

The upper house of the English Parliament, made up of nobles and clergy.

House of Commons

The lower house of Parliament, made up of elected representatives.

Patriarchal

A society dominated by men.

Dowry

Money or property brought by a bride to her husband at marriage.

La Querelle des Femmes

Debate over women’s roles and status in society.

Black Death

A deadly plague that killed millions in Europe during the 14th century.

Carnival

A festive season of celebration before Lent.

Penance

Actions done to show repentance for sins.

Blood Sports

Violent entertainments involving animals or people.

Charivari

A noisy mock parade used to shame people for breaking social norms.

Stocks

A punishment device where people’s feet were locked in place for public humiliation.

Pillory

A wooden frame used to publicly humiliate offenders by locking their head and hands.

Pranger

A German version of the pillory used for public shaming.

Whipping

A physical punishment involving lashes.

Branding

Burning a mark into the skin as punishment.

Maleficium

Harmful magic or witchcraft.

Mannerism

A style of art with exaggerated poses and emotions.

Tintoretto

A Mannerist painter from Venice.

El Greco

A Mannerist painter known for dramatic, elongated figures.

Baroque

A dramatic, emotional art style used to inspire faith and power.

Caravaggio

A Baroque painter known for dramatic light and shadow.

Artemisia Gentileschi

A Baroque painter known for strong female figures.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini

A Baroque sculptor and architect who designed St. Peter’s Square.

Peter Paul Rubens

A Baroque painter famous for vibrant, dynamic scenes.