Protestant Reformation Research Paper

Protestant Reformation

The Protestant Reformation was a religious movement throughout Europe during the 16th century. During this time the acceptance of worshiping God how a person wanted to wasn’t met with the scrutiny that the Catholic Church dealt among non-conformists in the past. The Reformation was spurred by the teachings of Martin Luther, a former catholic monk. His ideals helped to lead entire nations into the beginning of an era of religious freedom. The Reformation also led to much of what America’s religious ideals are today. Much of what allows for religious freedom in today’s world was due to the Reformation (“Protestant 2012”).

The Reformation was a result of the Catholic Church’s sale of indulgences which created animosity

The first formal account of the use of the word “protestant” was in 1529. A decree was issued by the Diet of Speyer in Germany saying that the conversion must end and the values of the Church be restored. There were a few Lutheran members of the Diet that protested against the decree. This protest is where the term protestant originated (“THE REFORMATION”). Many wars were waged between those with Catholic Ideals and the Protestants, one being the thirty years war. The Thirty Years War was the result of protestant and catholic ideas causing Germany to divide into groups representative of both. When turmoil caused by Ferdinand II caused Protestants to band together with their foreign allies, such as Great Britain and Denmark, he met them with allies of his own. Thus, the Thirty Years War would begin in 1618. Ferdinand would soon be appointed Holy Roman Emperor in the following year, and he used newly acquired power to win many important battles throughout the war. However, the Protestants were able to receive help for the Swedish and their king Gustavus Aldophus. His army was able to push the opposition out of much of Germany. Their success would only last three years, because a Spanish army defeated them at the Battle of Nordlingen. After their defeat the Protestants were pushed of southern Germany. The attack by the Spanish army would soon get around to the French, who would declare war on both them and the Holy Roman Emperor. Battles ensued until 1648 when the Peace of Westphalia put an end to much of the fighting. The aftermath proved catastrophic, with as many as twenty percent of the German population being killed (“Thirty Years’