Protestant Reformation Dbq

In the 16th century, Europe was a very busy place. After being in the dark ages for so long, a light had finally shone, and ideas that had been lost in the past for finally making their way back again. Europe was going to be a changed place, for so many different reasons. Although there were many of these big changes were taking place, the Protestant Reformation is the most influential one for it impacted everyone living in Europe, not just some.

In the 1500’s the church of England had become corrupted. The pope was abusing his power and the people had to pay for it. The Pope had political power like control over armies and could wage war as well. Simony and nepotism were a common occurrence. In this time, religion was so huge, and so was the power behind it. The Pope singlehandedly had all of it, and used that to make the impact on Europe that he did. Perhaps one of the most controversial things Pope Leo X had done was sell indulgences. Indulgences were a trade off common people would make with the Pope, donations to the church for less time in

purgatory. Not only did Pope Leo X use these for his own gain, but it also gave people the idea they could bribe their way into heaven. The corruption of the church had led to the corruption of the people. However a few did ride up to put a stop to all of it.

Because of the changes brought by Protestant Reformation, the religious world of Europe would be greatly impacted still today.

These changes were only made after the ways of the church of the church had been brought to attention by Martin Luther, the German monk. He had attached a list of complainants, called the 95 thesis, to the church door, and world spread from there. He criticized the use of indulgences, and the teachings of the church. He felt that faith was the only way to heaven, and the bible was the only the reliable source of God. Although Luther was excommunicated from the church, a new branch of Christianity had formed from it, Lutheranism, which is still around today. Even though it happened more than 500 years ago, a simple list made by a monk that wasn’t even fully intended to make it to the public eye is still preached today. This is just another example of the huge amount of power behind

religion.

Although the Protestant Reformation was largely religious, it also had a significant political impact, in England specifically. It started when King Henry Viii wanted to have his marriage with Catherine Howard annulled, which Pope Leo X did not agree with. King Henry took full advantage of the Reformation however, and had him removed of his power in England. Later he would marry Anne Boleyn, who would give birth to Elizabeth, one of the most famous queens of England. When Pope Leo X lost his authority in England, King Henry inherited the church of England and became the head. The land of the church went to the nobles, and new era of religion had begun in England. Of course, religion means power, so this was a very big deal to Henry, and the rest of England. What started of a revolution of one had led to a complete change of lives of the people. Their leaders had changed, their version of religion had changed, and their whole idea of what faith means had changed. The reformation hadn’t just brought a physical change, it had brought an inward change.

Instead of an impact made by a few greats, the Reformation was a change that became what is was because of the people. They were the ones that made Martin Luther’s vision happen, and the ones that lived out the commands that religion brought them. The Reformation was the change of their religion, and there is no greater influence than that. Religion and faith will always have an heavy impact, just as it did in the past, and just as it will in the future.