APEURO: Unit 2, Age of Reformation - Contextualizing the Reformation

Why This Matters

The Reformation, a pivotal event in European history, fundamentally altered the relationship between the Catholic Church and the state, leading to the emergence of Protestantism and the fragmentation of Western Christendom. This period's significance extends beyond the realm of theology, as it also had far-reaching consequences for politics, power, and the development of modern nation-states. The Reformation's impact on the AP European History period can be seen through the lens of the AP theme "Politics and Power," as it challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and paved the way for the rise of nation-states and the decline of feudalism.

Key Events & People

• Martin Luther (1483-1546): A German theologian who sparked the Reformation by nailing his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church in 1517, challenging the sale of indulgences.
• The Diet of Worms (1521): A gathering of the Holy Roman Empire's princes and bishops that attempted to silence Luther, but ultimately failed to suppress the Reformation.
• The Edict of Worms (1521): A decree issued by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, that condemned Luther and his teachings, but failed to stop the spread of Protestantism.
• John Calvin (1509-1564): A French theologian who developed the theology of Calvinism, which emphasized predestination and the authority of the Bible.
• The Council of Trent (1545-1563): A gathering of Catholic bishops that attempted to reform the Church from within, but ultimately failed to address the underlying issues that led to the Reformation.
• The Peace of Augsburg (1555): A treaty that established the principle of cuius regio, eius religio, allowing German princes to choose their own religion and paving the way for the rise of Protestantism in Germany.
• Henry VIII (1491-1547): The King of England who broke with the Catholic Church and established the Church of England, with himself as its head.
• The English Reformation (1534): A series of events that led to the establishment of the Church of England, including the dissolution of the monasteries and the execution of Thomas More.
• The Swiss Reformation (1520s-1530s): A movement led by Huldrych Zwingli and John Calvin that spread Protestantism throughout Switzerland.
• The Anabaptists (1520s-1530s): A radical movement that emerged in Switzerland and Germany, emphasizing adult baptism and the separation of church and state.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The sale of indulgences by the Catholic Church created widespread discontent among the laity.
• Effect: Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses challenged the authority of the Church and sparked the Reformation.

• Long-term consequence: The Reformation led to the fragmentation of Western Christendom and the emergence of Protestantism as a major force in European history.

• Cause: The failure of the Catholic Church to address the issues of corruption and abuse of power led to a crisis of faith.

• Effect: The Reformation provided a new alternative to Catholicism, emphasizing individual interpretation of the Bible and the authority of the laity.

• Long-term consequence: The Reformation paved the way for the rise of modern nation-states and the decline of feudalism.

• Cause: The rise of nationalism and the desire for independence among European states led to the spread of Protestantism.

• Effect: The Peace of Augsburg established the principle of cuius regio, eius religio, allowing German princes to choose their own religion.
• Long-term consequence: The Reformation contributed to the rise of modern nation-states and the decline of the Holy Roman Empire.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Indulgence*: A pardon for sins granted by the Catholic Church, often in exchange for money.
• *Cuius regio, eius religio*: A principle established by the Peace of Augsburg, allowing German princes to choose their own religion.
• *Protestantism*: A movement that emerged in the 16th century, emphasizing individual interpretation of the Bible and the authority of the laity.
• *Calvinism*: A theology developed by John Calvin, emphasizing predestination and the authority of the Bible.
• *Anabaptism*: A radical movement that emerged in Switzerland and Germany, emphasizing adult baptism and the separation of church and state.
• *Ninety-Five Theses*: A document written by Martin Luther, challenging the sale of indulgences and sparking the Reformation.
• *Edict of Worms*: A decree issued by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, condemning Luther and his teachings.
• *Council of Trent*: A gathering of Catholic bishops that attempted to reform the Church from within.
• *Peace of Augsburg*: A treaty that established the principle of cuius regio, eius religio and paved the way for the rise of Protestantism in Germany.
• *English Reformation*: A series of events that led to the establishment of the Church of England, with Henry VIII as its head.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Reformation began in the 14th century, with the rise of the Lollards.
• Correction: The Reformation began in the early 16th century, with the publication of Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses in 1517.
• What students often get wrong: The Peace of Augsburg was a treaty between the Catholic Church and the Protestant states.
• Correction: The Peace of Augsburg was a treaty between the Holy Roman Empire and the Protestant states, establishing the principle of cuius regio, eius religio.
• What students often get wrong: The Council of Trent was a gathering of Protestant bishops that attempted to reform the Church from within.
• Correction: The Council of Trent was a gathering of Catholic bishops that attempted to reform the Church from within.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of the Catholic Church in the Reformation. How did the Church's policies and practices contribute to the emergence of Protestantism?
  • Possible evidence: The sale of indulgences, the Edict of Worms, the Council of Trent.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the impact of the Reformation on the development of modern nation-states. How did the Reformation contribute to the rise of nationalism and the decline of feudalism?
  • Possible evidence: The Peace of Augsburg, the English Reformation, the Swiss Reformation.
• Possible essay prompt: Compare and contrast the theology of Martin Luther and John Calvin. How did their ideas shape the development of Protestantism?
  • Possible evidence: Luther's Ninety-Five Theses, Calvin's Institutes, the Augsburg Confession.

Quick Self?Check

1. Who published the Ninety-Five Theses in 1517?
   • Answer: Martin Luther
   • Explanation: Luther's document challenged the sale of indulgences and sparked the Reformation.
2. What principle was established by the Peace of Augsburg?
   • Answer: Cuius regio, eius religio
   • Explanation: The principle allowed German princes to choose their own religion.
3. Who was the King of England who broke with the Catholic Church and established the Church of England?
   • Answer: Henry VIII
   • Explanation: Henry VIII's actions led to the English Reformation and the establishment of the Church of England.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Reformation began in 1517 with the publication of Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses.
• The Peace of Augsburg established the principle of cuius regio, eius religio in 1555.
• The Council of Trent was a gathering of Catholic bishops that attempted to reform the Church from within (1545-1563).
• The English Reformation led to the establishment of the Church of England, with Henry VIII as its head (1534).
• The Swiss Reformation was a movement led by Huldrych Zwingli and John Calvin that spread Protestantism throughout Switzerland (1520s-1530s).
• The Anabaptists were a radical movement that emerged in Switzerland and Germany, emphasizing adult baptism and the separation of church and state (1520s-1530s).
• The Edict of Worms was a decree issued by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, condemning Luther and his teachings (1521).
• The Augsburg Confession was a document written by Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon that outlined the principles of Protestantism (1530).
• The Treaty of Westphalia established the principle of sovereignty and non-interference in the affairs of other states (1648).
• The Reformation led to the rise of modern nation-states and the decline of feudalism.