The Protestant Reformation began in 16th century Europe in response to perceived corruption in the Catholic Church. Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses challenging Catholic doctrines like indulgences and the authority of the Pope. Luther's ideas spread rapidly through the printing press and inspired others to break away from the Catholic Church and form new Protestant faiths. The Reformation divided Europe along religious lines and led to conflicts between Catholics and Protestants, while some rulers like King Henry VIII of England switched their countries to the new Protestant faiths for political reasons. The Catholic Church fought back through the Counter Reformation, reforming itself while continuing to battle the growth of Protestantism.

1. Protestant Reformation

2. Questioning the Catholic Church
•During the 16th century, many people were angry
that the Catholic Church was spending way too much
money on fancy buildings
•Some did no like that church leader were living
wealthy lifestyles
•Others wanted the church to go back to simple,
modest ways

3. Reformation movement
•Began in central Europe (mainly German
states)
•The printing press enabled the ideas of
the Reformation to spread through Europe
•Regional leaders of Europe had to chose
between keeping the power granted to
them by the Catholic Church or breaking
away to start new churches

4. Two Common Practices of the
Catholic Church
Indulgences: buying
forgiveness of sins from the
Catholic Church
Excommunicate: The
Church used their power to
banish people from the
religious community

5. Martin Luther
•A German monk
who was tired of
the corruption in
the Catholic Church
•October 31, 1517-
he posted his 95
Thesis on his
church’s door

6. Luther’s 95 Thesis Challenge the Pope
•The Bible was the only authority on
religion and people could
communicate with God by reading it
•believed that salvation can not be
bought
•Salvation is only earned through God
•Faith was all that was needed for a
just life
95 Thesis Rap Video

7. Effect of Luther’s 95 Thesis
•It was translated, printed, & distributed
•Most commoners who read it supported Martin
•This started the Protestant movement
•Martin Luther was the central figure in the spread of
Protestantism
•Luther’s teaching brought on the Reformation

8. Luther’s Teachings Create a Schism
Catholic Church taught…
•The Pope is infallible
•The Pope was the most direct
contact with God and the Church;
which connects others to God
•Go-betweens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5jKehF2Dhk
Luther taught…….
•Faith is the only path to salvation
•Bible is the only way to
understand God’s word
•Each person could speak to God,
no go-betweens needed
•Only the belief in Jesus as the son
of God & died for our sins, was
needed to enter Heaven
•Even those who lived in sin could
enter heaven if they had faith
Video- 11:42

9. Protestantism Grows in France
•Wherever artists, book traders, printers, and people
willing to listen, the Reformation spread
•Urban people were better educated and looking for
new ideas
•By 1550s, Protestantism had spread to the wealthy
•John Calvin converted many of the French elite from
Catholicism

10. John Calvin
•Born in France in 1509, Calvin
learned Latin at a young age &
became interested in religion while
in law school
•He supported and preached in
favor of Protestant reform
John Calvin Bio Video

11. Calvinism
•1536, he published the 1st edition of Institutes of the
Christian Religion
•This book became the basis of a type of
Protestantism called Calvinism
•Popular in northern Europe

12. King Henry VIII of England
•Denounced the Catholic Church& formed
the Protestant state religion- the Church
of England
•This was a political move
•As a Protestant he could divorce his wife
who had not given him a heir
•The Catholic Church did not believe in
divorce
Religious Switch-Over Video

13. Queen Elizabeth I- England
•The daughter of King Henry’s second
wife
•During her reign (1558-1603) she
fought internal wars to defend
Protestantism
•Her work to preserve the Church of
England allowed it to become a lasting
institution today
Catholic Report Video

14. The Counter Reformation
•Catholic Church reacted quickly to the Reformation
•Holy Roman Emperor Charles V waged war on the
Germanic kingdoms that wanted to break away from
the Catholic Church
•His attempts failed and resulted in the Peace of
Augsburg: allowed Lutheranism to exist alongside
Catholicism in Germany

15. Changes in the Catholic Church
•Formed the Council of Trent formed new religious
policies
•Ignatius Loyala (society of Jesus or Jesuits), led
missions overseas and focused on the education of
priests and everyday
•Inspired to help the common people
•Tried to draw people in with elaborate buildings
Video: 3 min