The Protestant Reformation, the Scientific Revolution, and the Enlightenment were three notable movements that fundamentally transformed European society during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. Each of these cultural, intellectual, and philosophical movements, as well as their collective impact, had a profound influence on the political structures of Europe. Among countless others, notable figureheads throughout this era of innovation include Martin Luther, John Calvin, Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Immanuel Kant. Together, these movements–spurred by the pioneering of such individuals–challenged popular beliefs and authority, undermined the power of the Church, and spread the idea of secularism, …show more content…
This provided even more difficulties for Emperor Charles V to regain power, as it was now nearly impossible to impose the Catholic faith on German territories. Despite Charles's relentlessness, he eventually surrendered his will in the Peace of Augsburg in 1555. This event marks a critical turning point in the Protestant Reformation, as it acknowledges the divide within Christianity, granting Catholicism and Lutheranism equal standing. This discourse ultimately resulted in German princes holding the ultimate decision to choose either Lutheranims or Catholicism as their …show more content…
This movement challenged traditional beliefs–most of which originally centered around Christian theology–and developed a background in modern science, along with a newfound curiosity and understanding of nature, man, and religious relationships with God. Through major shifts in European society following the events of the Protestant Reformation, a new way of thinking–combined with a fascination with nature and the physical universe–led to the rise of challenging traditional sources of authority and pre-established, conventional ways of thought. This movement which took place within a roughly 150-year span was known as the “century of genius”, an era that birthed many great minds: Shakespeare, Galileo, Descartes, Locke, and Rousseau, among many others. During and following the time of the Scientific Revolution, ideas pertaining to science and the universe would find themselves separated from philosophy and religious conjectures. This led to a more rational and empirical approach to knowledge, which challenged the authority of traditional institutions and contributed to the rise of