European History Lesson: Key Events and Figures

Lesson Overview

• Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation
• The Spread of the Reformation
• The English Reformation: Henry VIII and the Church of England
• The Catholic Counter-Reformation
• The Ottoman Threat and Other 16th-Century Events

The 16th century was a time of great change in Europe. The Protestant Reformation reshaped religious and political structures, challenging the authority of the Catholic Church. Key figures like Martin Luther, John Calvin, Henry VIII, and Ignatius of Loyola led movements that influenced societies, laws, and governments. This guide will break down the essential topics, helping you understand the causes and consequences of the Reformation and related events.

This lesson is designed to make complex historical concepts easier to grasp through structured explanations, tables, and key takeaways.

Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation

The Protestant Reformation began in the early 1500s as a response to corruption in the Catholic Church. One of the major issues was the sale of indulgences-payments made to the Church for the forgiveness of sins. Martin Luther, a German monk, opposed this practice and wrote the 95 Theses to challenge Church authority.

Key Events of Luther's Reformation

Luther's Core Beliefs

Why Did Lutheranism Spread?

1. Printing Press: Allowed Luther's ideas to reach more people quickly.
2. German Princes' Support: Many rulers adopted Lutheranism to challenge the Pope's authority and gain control over church lands.
3. Public Dissatisfaction with the Catholic Church: Many saw Luther's ideas as a solution to church corruption.

The Spread of the Reformation

While Luther started the movement, other reformers helped spread Protestantism across Europe.

Major Reformation Leaders and Their Ideas

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What is a Theocracy?

A theocracy is a government run by religious leaders. John Calvin established a theocracy in Geneva, where strict religious laws were enforced. This idea influenced Protestant governance in parts of Europe.

Peace of Augsburg (1555)

To resolve religious conflicts in the Holy Roman Empire, Emperor Charles V agreed to the Peace of Augsburg:

• Allowed each prince to choose the religion (Catholicism or Lutheranism) of his state.
• Ended major wars between Protestants and Catholics (for a time).

The English Reformation: Henry VIII and the Church of England

Unlike Luther and Calvin, Henry VIII's Reformation was driven more by politics than theology. Henry wanted to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, but the Pope refused. In response, Henry broke from the Catholic Church and created the Church of England.

Key Events of the English Reformation

Henry VIII's Wives and Their Fates

After Henry's death:

• Mary I ("Bloody Mary") restored Catholicism and persecuted Protestants.
• Elizabeth I brought back Protestantism and strengthened the Anglican Church.

The Catholic Counter-Reformation

The Catholic Church responded to the Protestant Reformation with reforms of its own, known as the Counter-Reformation.

Key Aspects of the Counter-Reformation

Pope Paul IV (1555-1559)

• Strengthened the power of the papacy.
• Expanded the Roman Inquisition to root out Protestant influences.
• Created the Index of Prohibited Books, banning Protestant works.

The Ottoman Threat and Other 16th-Century Events

The Ottoman Empire and Suleiman the Magnificent

• Suleiman the Magnificent expanded the Ottoman Empire into Europe.
• His forces overran Hungary and almost captured Vienna in 1529.

The Sack of Rome (1527)

• Holy Roman Emperor Charles V's troops attacked and looted Rome.
• Pope Clement VII had supported France against Charles, which led to the attack.

The First Jewish Ghetto (1516, Venice)

• Venice forced Jews to live in a segregated area called a ghetto.
• This practice spread to other European cities, limiting Jewish freedoms.

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