Renaissance and Reformation Key Terms & Concepts for Students

Martin Luther

German monk, posted the 95 Theses in 1517, began the Protestant Reformation.

Erasmus

Christian humanist, wrote In Praise of Folly, criticized Church abuses but stayed Catholic.

Indulgences

Payments to the Church for forgiveness of sins.

Simony

Buying/selling of church offices.

1517

Year Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses.

95 Theses

Martin Luther's document criticizing indulgences and corruption in the Church.

John Calvin

Reformer who taught predestination and founded Calvinism.

Henry VIII

English king who broke from the Catholic Church and formed the Anglican Church.

Act of Supremacy

Law that made the English monarch head of the Church of England.

Ignatius of Loyola

Founder of the Jesuits, leader of the Counter-Reformation.

Protestant Reformation

Religious movement challenging Church abuses, creating Protestant denominations.

Counter-Reformation

Catholic Church's response to Protestantism (Jesuits, Council of Trent, Inquisition).

Italian Renaissance

Rebirth of classical learning and art in Italy, focus on humanism and secularism.

Northern Renaissance

Renaissance movement north of Italy; more religious focus.

Christian Humanism

Humanist ideas used to reform the Catholic Church.

Humanism

Intellectual movement focusing on human potential, achievements, and classics.

Classicism

Use of Greek and Roman styles in art, literature, and architecture.

Linear Perspective

Artistic technique that creates depth and realism.

Printing Press

Invented by Gutenberg, spread Renaissance and Reformation ideas quickly.

What shifts took place in the Renaissance?

New ideas in humanism, art (realism, perspective), learning (Greek/Roman texts), and society (merchant patronage).

Why was Florence the center of the Renaissance?

Wealth from trade/banking, Medici patronage, classical ruins nearby, cultural crossroads.

Were Italians the only contributors to the Renaissance? Why?

No. Ideas spread north with printing press; Erasmus, Dürer, and others contributed.

What do Renaissance artworks (ex: The Ambassadors) show us?

Humanism, science, wealth, realism, secular + spiritual concerns.

Why did the Reformation overlap with the Renaissance?

Humanism encouraged questioning authority, printing press spread ideas, corruption was exposed.

What role did the printing press play?

Made books cheaper, spread literacy, allowed rapid spread of Renaissance and Reformation ideas.

Consequences of the Protestant Reformation (short-term)

Religious wars, Catholic Counter-Reformation, division of Christianity.

Consequences of the Protestant Reformation (long-term)

Rise of nation-states, new denominations, higher literacy, religious diversity still today.