REFORMATION AND THE COUNTER REFORMATION

During Ren. People began to question religious beliefs & practices.

People began to protest the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). People called Protestants.

Protestants demand RCC change or reform. Demand for change called Reformation.

All of this led to new branch of Christianity = Protestantism

Reformation

1517 Martin Luther criticized RCC1. Indulgences – a promise by RCC that with a $

donation to Church, sins were forgiven.2. Nepotism – only hired relatives and family for

RCC jobs.3. Luther also said, go to heaven by faith not by

giving $. 4. Bible was only guide not Church leaders.

Should read Bible yourself.

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Luther excommunicated but continued to speak out. His ideas spread.

People divided into Luther supporters = Protestants and RCC supporters = Catholics.

Kings chose sides. Spread of Protestantism threatened

power & control of RCC.

Counter Reformation

Due to power loss of RCC, Pope tried to change or reform ways:

1. Stopped indulgences2. Trained people to teach and travel to New

World

But damage to RCC reputation and division among people didn’t change…

Protestants and Catholics went to war. Long, bloody battles between nations

lasted for years.