THEME 4 - THE SPREAD AND SURVIVAL OF LUTHERANISM, 1521-55

STILL NEED TO MAKE MY OWN!!!

Why did Charles V fail to enforce the Edict of Worms?

Because he left Germany immediately after Worms and spent most of the 1520s dealing with crises elsewhere, leaving German princes free to ignore the Edict.

Why did the princes refuse to act against Luther in the early 1520s?

They demanded Church reform first and resisted imperial pressure without Charles present.

How did the First Diet of Speyer (1526) help Lutheranism?

It allowed princes to act “as they saw fit,” giving Lutheran territories legal cover to continue reform.

Why did the Second Diet of Speyer (1529) increase tensions?

It revoked the 1526 concessions, prompting Lutheran princes to issue a formal protest.

Why did Protestant unity fail at Marburg (1529)?

Luther and Zwingli disagreed on the Eucharist, preventing doctrinal unity.

What was Charles’s aim at the Diet of Augsburg (1530)?

To restore religious unity by demanding acceptance of Catholic doctrine.

Why did the Augsburg Confession fail to persuade Charles?

He rejected its theological positions and insisted on Catholic uniformity.

Why did the Colloquies of 1540–41 fail?

Theological divisions remained too deep, and neither side trusted the other.

Why was Regensburg (1541) a missed opportunity?

Temporary agreement was reached, but Luther rejected it, ending hopes of reconciliation.

What does the failure of negotiations show?

That Charles could not impose religious unity without sustained presence and cooperation.

Why was Charles absent so often from Germany?

He was dealing with wars against France, the Ottomans, and crises in Spain and Italy.

How did Charles’s absences help Lutheranism?

Princes acted independently, adopting reforms without fear of imperial intervention.

Why did Charles need the princes?

He relied on them for military and financial support, limiting his authority.

How did Charles’s priorities conflict with action in Germany?

External wars always took precedence, delaying action against Lutheranism.

What was the overall impact of Charles’s absences?

Lutheranism became entrenched before Charles could respond.

Why was Frederick the Wise crucial to Lutheran survival?

He protected Luther, refused to hand him over, and sheltered him after Worms.

How did John the Steadfast strengthen Lutheranism?

He formally adopted Lutheranism in Electoral Saxony, giving it political legitimacy.

Why was John Frederick important?

He led the Schmalkaldic League and defended Lutheran territories

Why was Philip of Hesse significant?

He provided military leadership and political organisation for Lutheran states.

How did Albrecht of Hohenzollern help spread Lutheranism?

He secularised the Teutonic Order into Lutheran Prussia, expanding Protestant territory.

Why did many princes convert to Lutheranism?

For political independence, economic gain, and genuine religious conviction.

How did princely protection ensure Lutheran survival?

Princes shielded Lutheran territories from Catholic or imperial attack.

Why did political motives matter more than theology?

Princes used Lutheranism to resist imperial centralisation

How did economic motives encourage conversion?

Confiscating Church lands increased princely wealth and power.

Why was Saxony’s internal division important?

Electoral Saxony led Lutheran politics; Ducal Saxony later joined, strengthening the movement.

Why was the Schmalkaldic League formed?

To defend Lutheran territories from Catholic or imperial attack.

How did the League protect Lutheranism?

It provided military strength and political unity.

Why was the League’s restoration of Württemberg important?

It proved the League could act militarily to expand Lutheran influence.

How did the League’s growth affect Charles?

It made confronting Lutheranism increasingly difficult.

Why did Charles tolerate the League in the 1530s?

He needed Protestant support against the Ottomans.

How did the League undermine imperial authority?

It acted independently, challenging Charles’s control.

Why was the League politically significant?

It united Protestant princes and cities under a shared agenda.

How did the League contribute to Lutheran survival?

It prevented Catholic military suppression.

Why did the League become a major obstacle for Charles?

Its strength forced Charles to negotiate rather than impose.

What was the League’s long-term impact?

It ensured Lutheranism survived until legal recognition.

Why did the Ottoman threat distract Charles?

Ottoman expansion into Hungary and central Europe demanded urgent military attention.

How did Mediterranean conflict weaken Charles?

Ottoman naval power threatened his Spanish and Italian possessions.

Why was the Tunis campaign significant?

It was costly and temporary, draining resources needed in Germany.

Why was the Algiers expedition disastrous?

A storm destroyed his fleet, causing massive losses and humiliation.

How did France undermine Charles’s ability to act?

Repeated wars forced Charles to prioritise defending his territories.

What was the overall impact of external wars?

They prevented Charles from focusing on the Lutheran problem.

Why could Charles finally act in 1546?

He resolved foreign conflicts and gained support from Catholic princes.

Why did Maurice of Saxony support Charles?

He sought political advantage over John Frederick.

What happened at Mühlberg (1547)?

Charles defeated the League and captured John Frederick.

Why was Charles’s victory incomplete?

He lacked the political support to impose Catholicism afterwards.

Why did the Augsburg Interim fail?

It satisfied neither Catholics nor Protestants and was widely resisted.

Why did princes oppose Charles after 1548?

They feared imperial overreach and rejected his religious policies.

Why did Maurice turn against Charles in 1552?

He opposed Charles’s attempts to impose religious uniformity.

Why did Charles fail at Metz?

His army suffered disease and cold; he abandoned the siege.

What was the Peace of Passau?

It ended religious war and forced Charles to accept Protestant survival.

What did the Peace of Augsburg achieve?

It legally recognised Lutheranism and ended decades of conflict

Why was important?

It allowed princes to choose their territory’s religion.

Why did Augsburg not create full religious peace?

It excluded other Protestant groups, leaving tensions unresolved

Why did Charles accept Augsburg?

He was exhausted, politically isolated, and unable to continue fighting.

What was the long-term significance of Augsburg?

It entrenched religious division and shaped German politics for centuries.

How did Leo X respond to Lutheranism

He excommunicated Luther in 1521.

How did the Sack of Rome affect the papacy?

It weakened papal authority and limited its ability to respond to Lutheranism.

What reforms did Paul III attempt?

He appointed reform-minded cardinals and pushed for a general council.

Why was the Church divided internally?

Moderates wanted reform; hardliners resisted compromise.

What was the impact of the Council of Trent?

It reaffirmed Catholic doctrine and rejected Protestant theology.