Lesson Overview

• Looting and Vandalization of Rome (Sack of Rome 1527)
• Definition of Indulgence in European History
• Meaning of Simony in European History
• Meaning of Annul in European History
• John Calvin's Belief in Predestination in European History
• Jewish Ghettos in Venice in European History
• Meaning of "Sola Fide" in European History
• Spread of Lutheranism in European History
• Role and Loyalty of Jesuits in European History
• Act of Supremacy in European History

This lesson defines key European history concepts and explains events and ideas related to the Reformation and religious change in the 16th century.

Looting and Vandalization of Rome (Sack of Rome 1527)

The Sack of Rome in 1527 was when imperial troops looted and damaged the city, marking a turning point in European history. This event weakened the power of the Catholic Church and showed the political instability of the time.

Example: In 1527, soldiers entered Rome, stealing valuables and destroying churches. This shocked Europe and damaged the Pope's influence.

Quick Tip: Remember the Sack of Rome as a symbol of religious and political chaos in Europe during the 1500s.

Mini-Quiz:
What was the Sack of Rome in 1527?
A) A peaceful protest
B) The looting and vandalization of the city by troops
C) A religious festival
D) The founding of a new church
Correct answer: B
If wrong: The Sack of Rome was a violent attack, not a peaceful or ceremonial event.

FAQ:
What was the Sack of Rome and why is it important in European history?
It was a violent looting of Rome in 1527 that showed the decline of papal power and political unrest.

Definition of Indulgence in European History

An indulgence was a pardon granted by the Catholic Church that reduced the punishment for sins. People believed buying indulgences could lessen time in purgatory. This practice caused major controversy and helped trigger the Reformation.

Example: A person could donate money to the Church to receive an indulgence that forgave sins and shortened their afterlife punishment.

Quick Tip: Think of indulgences as "forgiveness certificates" sold by the Church, which many opposed.

Mini-Quiz:
What was an indulgence?
A) A ticket to a festival
B) A pardon for sins that reduced punishment
C) A church membership
D) A type of prayer
Correct answer: B
If wrong: Indulgences were pardons, not prayers or tickets.

FAQ:
How did the concept of indulgences influence European history?
Indulgences led to criticism of church corruption, sparking calls for reform.

Meaning of Simony in European History

Simony is the practice of buying or selling church offices or positions. It was common in the Middle Ages and seen as corrupt because church roles were sold rather than earned spiritually.

Example: A wealthy person might pay money to become a bishop, rather than being chosen for religious merit.

Quick Tip: Link simony with corruption in the church's leadership.

Mini-Quiz:
What does simony mean?
A) Selling church buildings
B) Buying a church office or position
C) Praying for forgiveness
D) Donating to charity
Correct answer: B
If wrong: Simony is specifically buying or selling church positions, not general donations.

FAQ:
Why was simony considered a problem in European history?
Because it made church leadership corrupt by favoring money over faith.

Meaning of Annul in European History

Annul means to declare something, especially a marriage, legally invalid, as if it never happened. Unlike divorce, annulment says the marriage was never valid.

Example: A marriage annulled due to fraud means legally it never existed.

Quick Tip: Annulment erases a marriage's legal status from the start.

Mini-Quiz:
What does annul mean?
A) To renew a contract
B) To cancel or declare invalid
C) To postpone a ceremony
D) To celebrate an event
Correct answer: B
If wrong: Annulment means canceling, not delaying or celebrating.

FAQ:
How is annul different from divorce in European history?
Annulment declares a marriage never valid; divorce ends a valid marriage.

John Calvin's Belief in Predestination in European History

Predestination is the belief that God has already decided who will be saved or condemned. Calvin taught that salvation was predetermined and people could not change it.

Example: Calvinists believed their fate was set before birth, and faith alone showed who was chosen.

Quick Tip: Predestination means your salvation is decided by God, not by your actions.

Mini-Quiz:
What is predestination according to John Calvin?
A) People choose their fate
B) God has already decided who will be saved
C) Salvation depends on good works
D) Everyone is saved
Correct answer: B
If wrong: Calvin's predestination means God decides salvation, not people.

FAQ:
What role did predestination play in European religious beliefs?
It was a key idea in Calvinism that challenged traditional church teachings.

Jewish Ghettos in Venice in European History

In 1516, Jews in Venice were forced to live in ghettos-segregated areas limiting their freedom. Ghettos were used to isolate Jewish communities socially and economically.

Example: The Venetian ghetto restricted where Jews could live and work, reflecting discrimination.

Quick Tip: Ghettos show how minorities were segregated in European cities.

Mini-Quiz:
What was a Jewish ghetto in Venice?
A) A free market area
B) A segregated neighborhood for Jews
C) A religious school
D) A royal palace
Correct answer: B
If wrong: Ghettos were neighborhoods where Jews were segregated, not schools or markets.

FAQ:
Why were Jewish ghettos created in European history?
To segregate and control Jewish populations in cities.

Meaning of "Sola Fide" in European History

"Sola Fide" means "by faith alone," a Protestant belief that faith, not works, saves a person. Martin Luther emphasized this against Catholic views requiring faith and good deeds.

Example: Luther taught that trusting in God was enough for salvation, without needing to perform good works.

Quick Tip: Sola Fide focuses on faith, not actions, for salvation.

Mini-Quiz:
What does "Sola Fide" mean?
A) By faith alone
B) By good works alone
C) By church rituals
D) By confession only
Correct answer: A
If wrong: Sola Fide means salvation by faith alone, not by works or rituals.

FAQ:
How did "Sola Fide" change European religious views?
It shifted focus to faith as the sole way to salvation, challenging Catholic teachings.

Spread of Lutheranism in European History

Lutheranism grew because people saw it as a solution to Catholic Church corruption, like selling indulgences and simony. It offered direct access to faith and scripture.

Example: Many accepted Lutheranism to reject corrupt church practices and follow biblical teachings.

Quick Tip: Lutheranism started as a protest against church corruption.

Mini-Quiz:
Why did Lutheranism spread widely?
A) It supported church corruption
B) It offered reform from corruption
C) It was forced by kings
D) It avoided religion
Correct answer: B
If wrong: Lutheranism opposed corruption; it didn't support it.

FAQ:
What role did corruption play in the rise of Lutheranism in European history?
It motivated people to join Lutheranism to reject corrupt church practices.

Role and Loyalty of Jesuits in European History

Jesuits were a Catholic order loyal to the Pope, focused on education, missionary work, and defending Catholic doctrine during the Counter-Reformation.

Example: Jesuits founded schools and spread Catholicism worldwide to counter Protestantism.

Quick Tip: Jesuits combined strict religious loyalty with education and missions.

Mini-Quiz:
Who were the Jesuits in European history?
A) Protestant rebels
B) Catholic monks loyal to the Pope
C) Kings of Europe
D) Jewish leaders
Correct answer: B
If wrong: Jesuits were Catholic, not Protestant or secular rulers.

FAQ:
What was the Jesuits' role in European religious history?
They defended Catholicism and spread education during the Counter-Reformation.

Act of Supremacy in European History

The Act of Supremacy (1534) made the English king the head of the Church of England, breaking away from the Pope's authority.

Example: King Henry VIII passed the Act to divorce and control the church in England.

Quick Tip: The Act marked England's break from the Catholic Church.

Mini-Quiz:
What did the Act of Supremacy do in European history?
A) Made the Pope head of England's church
B) Made the king head of England's church
C) United England and Rome
D) Ended all churches
Correct answer: B
If wrong: The Act gave church control to the king, not the Pope.

FAQ:
Why was the Act of Supremacy important in European history?
It created the Church of England under royal control, ending papal authority.

Fact Based Q/A

1. What was the main cause of the Sack of Rome in 1527?
   A) Peace treaty
   B) Imperial troops looting
   C) Religious festival
   D) King's coronation
   Correct answer: B
   If wrong: It was a violent sack by troops, not a peaceful event.
2. What is simony?
   A) Buying a church office
   B) Forgiving sins
   C) Church prayers
   D) Religious festivals
   Correct answer: A
   If wrong: Simony means buying church positions, not prayers or festivals.
3. What does "Sola Fide" mean?
   A) Faith alone
   B) Good works alone
   C) Church rituals
   D) Confession only
   Correct answer: A
   If wrong: It means salvation by faith alone.
4. Who were the Jesuits?
   A) Protestant group
   B) Catholic monks loyal to the Pope
   C) Jewish leaders
   D) Kings
   Correct answer: B
   If wrong: Jesuits were Catholic monks, not Protestant or secular rulers.
5. What did the Act of Supremacy do?
   A) Made king head of Church of England
   B) Made Pope head
   C) Ended Church
   D) United religions
   Correct answer: A
   If wrong: The Act gave church authority to the king.
6. What is predestination?
   A) God decides salvation beforehand
   B) Humans choose fate
   C) Salvation by works
   D) Everyone saved
   Correct answer: A
   If wrong: Predestination means God decides salvation before birth.