Prior To The Reformation

The Reformation

Prior to the Reformation, the Catholic Church stretched its power religiously, socially and politically. Politics were heavily influenced by the Catholic Church and their officials. The rise of religion was one of the most prodigious revolutions in the 16thcentury and is known as the Reformation. Peasants in Germany had carefully organized revolts plans in order to spread social reforms. Protestants broke off from the Catholic Church and became independent during the Reformation. This ushered in the Modern Age since the unity of people’s religion was separated. People became interested in religious beliefs that suited them best. Since there was diversity in these interests, it caused for new political, social, and economic

Luther’s revolt influenced many people and especially those in Germany. His main purpose of the revolt was to gain independence from the Catholic Church. Luther stated that the Church at the time was selling indulgences to its followers and with this he used it as an excuse to attempt to gain independence from the Church. This quickly brought up heated trouble and caused him to be excommunicated from the Church by Pope Leo X. Directly after his excommunication from the church, King Charles V declared Luther to be an enemy. Luther then fled to his mainland after being named an enemy. With this, Luther attracted to himself powerful followers and supporters as well as powerful enemies. When the Pope noticed the attention Luther was gaining, he wanted Charles V off the imperial throne and to maintain unity in Germany. Luther gained more followers each day by his writings and teachings. Luther wrote the Admonition to Peace which appealed to the poor classes and peasants . The Admonition of Peace consists of a series of articles that encourage the readers to detach themselves from the Catholic Church and to be free. Luther is idolized by the poor because he stands up for them while he promotes his own ideologies for independence. This brought the support from German princes and cities. Many of the German princes were convicted by Luther’s teachings and converted to

Previously, the Church was dominant and the Pope’s power stretched throughout Europe. When Luther catalyzed the division between the Church, two different ideologies were formed that could not coexist under one church. The Pope lost control over all that denied being Catholic and could no longer tax them. Powerful princes and monarchs stepped in to replace the empty seats for power that Protestants and Catholics were fighting for. Protestants and Catholics could not unify which caused for the separation of church and state. Without a set moral standard that the church could legislate over everyone, monarchs came to power to create their own for their states. Monarchies rose as the unification of the Church fell due to the Protestant’s intolerance of