Protestant Reformation Notes

Protestantism originated as a protest movement aimed at reforming the Catholic Church in the 16th century.
The movement led to the establishment of a new Christian church and widespread religious conflict in Europe.

In the 16th century, the Catholic Church was deeply involved in politics.
The Pope held political power and exerted influence over European rulers to increase wealth.
Catholic priests and bishops engaged in bribery and other unethical practices, such as selling indulgences (a way to heaven).
Indulgences were certificates believed to reduce the time a person's soul spent in purgatory (고통).

Reformers criticized the Church's corruption and the Pope's extravagant lifestyle.
The European Renaissance introduced humanism, promoting intellectual, artistic endeavors, and translations of ancient texts.
Humanism led to critiques of the Church's doctrines and Bible translations → since people were able to translate the bible on their own due to the invention of the printing press
The printing press facilitated the widespread dissemination of these critiques.

Martin Luther, a German Augustinian monk and professor, opposed the Church's corruption.
In 1517, Luther published his 95 Theses, which challenged the sale of indulgences and the idea of earning salvation (구원).
Luther advocated for translating the Bible into vernacular languages so that individuals could interpret it themselves.
In 1521, the Catholic Church excommunicated Luther.

Huldrych Zwingli in Switzerland shared similar ideas with Luther.
John Calvin, a French lawyer, converted to Protestantism and developed his own theological interpretations.
King Henry VIII of England used the Reformation to create his own church, increasing his power and enabling him to divorce.

Protestants supported women's literacy, as they believed everyone should interpret the Bible.
Notable female thinkers emerged, including:
- Marie Dentière: A French writer who advocated for women preachers.
- Olympia Morata: An Italian scholar whose letters and translations of religious texts were influential.
- Argula von Grumbach: A Bavarian scholar who defended a young lecturer and published an open letter that became a best-selling pamphlet.
Catholic superiors allegedly threatened Argula von Grumbach and encouraged her husband to stop her from writing.

Many individuals took up arms in response to religious tensions.
The German Peasants' War (1524-1525) involved peasants revolting against the nobility and church taxation, resulting in massacres.
The French Wars of Religion lasted 36 years and caused approximately 4 million deaths.

The Catholic Church launched the Counter-Reformation to regain people's trust and reform from within.
The movement clarified doctrine and addressed abuses of power.
Religious orders like the Jesuits were crucial in converting people to Catholicism across the Americas, Africa, and Australasia.

In 1618, Ferdinand II attempted to enforce Catholicism in his territories, sparking a Protestant revolt and the Thirty Years' War.
The Thirty Years' War was one of the deadliest conflicts in history.
The end of the Thirty Years' War is generally regarded as the end of the Reformation.
This conflict significantly reshaped Europe's politics and social systems.

The Protestant Reformation influenced the colonization of North America.
English Protestants sought religious freedom and became colonial settlers.
Waves of Protestant settlers displaced indigenous communities and established the religious character of the United States.

Despite seeking religious freedom, colonial settlers did not always extend that right to others.
The struggle for religious freedom and freedom from religion continues today.