1. Reformation in Europe
Impact of Reformation
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2. Introduction:
• Reform movement in Germany diversified – Huldrych
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Zwingli, Christian theocracy – Church and State
• Calvinism – John Calvin, French lawyer – Geneva; positive
place for law as against Luther who distinguished between
law and gospel
• Mid 16th century – Lutheranism dominated northern Europe
• Eastern Europe – radical varieties of Protestantism – weak
kings, strong nobles, few cities, religious pluralism
• Spain and Italy – centers of counter reformation
• England – R is political than religious; 1534, Anglican Church
• Scotland – John Knox, Presbytarianism – Ireland remained
Catholic
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3. Church after Reformation
• Council of Trent 1543-63; Jesuits, 1540
• National Churches supplanted the authority of unified
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catholic church
• France – Francis I, initially tolerant; 1535 – persecutions
• Spain – stamped out by Spanish Inquisition, 1557
• Low countries – movement was mostly popular and no
interference from rulers
• Lack of leadership, persecution and counter reformation did
not allow spread of reformation in Italy
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4. Social effects
• Mixture of religion and pagan practices – curb on customs
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and festivals/carnivals
• Situation of women slightly better – women encouraged to
read; importance of family; divorce; subservience
• Dramatic increase in witch hunts
• Development of Rationality
• Migration to new colonies – both to escape persecution and
search for new life
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5. Contribution
• It is impossible to understand modern history apart from the Reformation. For
example, in America there would never have been Pilgrim Fathers if there had not
first been a Protestant Reformation.
• The Reformation has profoundly affected the modern view of politics and law. Prior to
the Reformation the Church governed politics; she controlled emperors and kings
and governed the law of lands.
• Western literature developed mainly through spread of reformation as vernacular
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language was extensively used.
• There never would have been modern science were it not for the Reformation. All
scientific investigation and endeavor prior to that had been controlled by the church.
• The Reformation laid down once and for all the right and obligation of the individual
conscience, and the right to follow the dictates of that individual conscience. Many
men who talk lightly and glibly about "liberty" neither know nor realize that they owe
their liberty to this event.
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