Protestant reformation and religious war

Martin Luther

German monk who challenged the Catholic Church and began the Protestant Reformation in 1517.

Sola fide

Faith alone. Luther's belief that salvation comes through faith in God, not through good works or buying indulgences.

95 Theses (1517)

Luther's arguments against Church abuses, especially indulgences. They helped spread the Reformation.

Indulgences

Church documents associated with reducing punishment for sins. Their sale was criticized by Luther as corrupt.

Diet of Worms (1521)

Assembly where Luther was ordered to recant his teachings. He refused and was declared an outlaw.

Peasants' Revolt (1524-1525)

German peasants rebelled against economic and social oppression, partly inspired by Reformation ideas. Luther condemned the violent uprising.

Peace of Augsburg (1555)

Allowed rulers in the Holy Roman Empire to choose Catholicism or Lutheranism for their territories. Calvinists were not included.

Ulrich Zwingli

Swiss reformer who rejected many Catholic practices and emphasized the authority of Scripture.

Anabaptists

Radical Protestant groups that believed in adult baptism and generally rejected infant baptism. Many supported separating church and state.

Jean Calvin

French reformer who established a major Protestant movement based on Scripture, discipline, and predestination.

Predestination

Calvinist belief that God has already determined who will receive salvation.

Henry VIII of England

Broke with the Catholic Church after the pope would not annul his marriage. He established royal control over the English Church.

Act of Supremacy (1534)

Declared Henry VIII the Supreme Head of the Church of England.

Edward VI

Henry VIII's son. His reign strengthened Protestantism in England.

Mary I

Henry VIII's daughter who restored Catholicism and persecuted Protestants, earning the nickname 'Bloody Mary.'

Elizabeth I

Restored Protestantism and established a lasting religious settlement that made England officially Protestant.

Spanish Armada (1588)

Spanish fleet sent to invade England. Its defeat strengthened England and weakened Spain's reputation as a dominant naval power.

Ignatius of Loyola

Founder of the Jesuits, a Catholic religious order that promoted education, missionary work, and Catholic renewal.

Council of Trent (1545-1563)

Reformed abuses within the Catholic Church while reaffirming Catholic teachings that Protestants challenged.

Politique

A ruler or political leader who prioritized national unity and stability over strict religious uniformity.

St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre (1572)

Mass killing of French Protestants, known as Huguenots, by Catholic forces during the French Wars of Religion.

Henri IV of France

Former Protestant who converted to Catholicism to help unite France. He issued the Edict of Nantes.

Edict of Nantes (1598)

Granted French Protestants limited religious freedoms and helped end the French Wars of Religion.

William of Orange

Leader of the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule and a major figure in the struggle for Dutch independence.

Pacification of Ghent (1576)

Agreement among Dutch provinces to oppose Spanish military abuses and seek greater unity.

Defenestration of Prague (1618)

Protestant nobles threw Catholic officials out of a window, triggering the Bohemian phase of the Thirty Years' War.

Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden

Protestant king who intervened in the Thirty Years' War and helped strengthen the Protestant side.

Cardinal Richelieu

Chief minister of Catholic France who supported Protestant forces against the Catholic Habsburgs to increase French power.

Peace of Prague (1635)

Agreement intended to settle conflict within the Holy Roman Empire, but it did not end the wider war.

Treaty of Westphalia (1648)

Ended the Thirty Years' War, recognized Calvinism alongside Catholicism and Lutheranism in the empire, and strengthened the independence of many German princes.

Religion and Politics Interaction

Rulers used religion to strengthen their authority, while religious movements challenged political leaders.

Protestantism and Rulers

Some rulers adopted Protestantism to escape papal influence or gain control over Church property.

Political Support for Religion

Other leaders supported religious opponents of their own faith to weaken political rivals.

Status of England in 17th Century

England was a growing Protestant naval power after defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Status of Spain in 17th Century

Spain remained a major Catholic empire but faced expensive wars, financial difficulties, and growing challenges to its power.

Thirty Years' War Origins

The war began largely over religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants, but political competition became increasingly important.

Catholic France's Role in Thirty Years' War

Catholic France supported Protestant Sweden and German princes to weaken the Catholic Habsburg dynasty.

Catholic Church Response to Protestantism

Catholic Reform and Counter-Reformation aimed to improve the Church and defend Catholic teachings.

Council of Trent

Central to both Catholic reform and the Counter-Reformation, it addressed abuses while reaffirming Catholic doctrine.

Henry VIII

Catholic initially; established an independent Church of England through the Act of Supremacy (1534).

Politiques in the 16th Century

A politique prioritized peace and political stability over religious uniformity.

Elizabeth I's Religious Compromise

Sought religious stability through a compromise between Catholic traditions and Protestant beliefs.

Thirty Years' War Phases

The war had four phases: Bohemian, Danish, Swedish, and French.

Defenestration of Prague

Triggered the Thirty Years' War when Protestant nobles rebelled against the Catholic Habsburg ruler.

Gustavus Adolphus

Led Sweden into the Thirty Years' War and won important victories for the Protestant side.

Treaty of Westphalia

Ended the Thirty Years' War in 1648, weakened the Habsburgs, and strengthened the independence of German princes.

Key Takeaway from Thirty Years' War

The war began with religious conflict but evolved into a political struggle for European dominance.

Luther and the Reformation

Luther challenged Church abuses with the 95 Theses and refused to recant at the Diet of Worms.

Calvin's Teachings

Calvin's teachings on predestination created another major Protestant tradition.

Henri IV and the Edict of Nantes

Religious compromise helped restore stability in France.

Thirty Years' War Expansion

Expanded from religious conflict into a contest for political power.