History - Reformation

Humanism

A Renaissance belief that focused on human potential, achievements, and studying classical Greek and Roman texts.

Secularism

The idea of separating religion from government and everyday life.

Patron

A wealthy person who financially supported artists, writers, or scholars.

Vernacular

The everyday language spoken by ordinary people (not Latin).

Linear Perspective

An art technique that creates the illusion of depth on a flat surface.

Individualism

The belief that each person is important and unique.

The Classics

Ancient Greek and Roman writings, art, and ideas.

Indulgence

A payment to the Catholic Church that was believed to reduce punishment for sins.

95 Theses

A list of arguments written by Martin Luther criticizing church practices, especially indulgences.

Protestant

A Christian who is not Catholic and follows beliefs that began with the Reformation.

Sola Fide

The belief that salvation comes by faith alone.

Predestination

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

Excommunication

Being officially removed from the Church.

Counter-Reformation

The Catholic Church’s effort to reform itself and stop the spread of Protestantism.

Theocracy

A government ruled by religious leaders or based on religious law.

Jesuits (Society of Jesus)

A Catholic religious order focused on education and spreading Catholic beliefs.

Johannes Gutenberg

Inventor of the movable-type printing press in Europe.

The Printing Press

A machine that allowed books to be made quickly and cheaply.

Henry VIII

King of England who broke from the Catholic Church to form the Church of England.

Catherine of Aragon

Henry VIII’s first wife, whom he divorced to remarry.

Anne Boleyn

Henry VIII’s second wife, mother of Queen Elizabeth I.

Act of Supremacy

Law that made Henry VIII the head of the Church of England in 1534.

Martin Luther

German monk who started the Protestant Reformation.

Johann Tetzel

A preacher known for selling indulgences.

John Calvin

Protestant reformer who emphasized predestination and created Calvinism.

Anabaptists

Protestant group that believed in adult baptism only.

Leonardo da Vinci

Renaissance artist and inventor who painted the Mona Lisa.

Michelangelo

Renaissance artist who painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Niccolò Machiavelli

Political thinker who wrote The Prince about power and leadership.

Desiderius Erasmus

Christian humanist who criticized Church abuses and promoted education.