Reformation Lesson: Causes, Impact & Key Figures
Lesson Overview
- The Reformation: Martin Luther and the 95 Theses
- The Reformation: Mary I and Protestant Persecution
- The Reformation: Pope Leo X and Excommunication
- The Reformation: Charles V and the Holy Roman Empire
- The Reformation: Elizabeth I and Protestant Stability
- The Reformation: John Wycliffe and Early Reform Ideas
- The Reformation: Parliament and Henry VIII's Divorce
- The Reformation: Peace of Augsburg and Religious Authority
- The Reformation: Corruption in the Lower Clergy
- The Reformation: Mixed-Review Quiz
The Reformation challenged Catholic authority, spread Protestant ideas, and reshaped religion and politics across Europe through figures like Martin Luther, Henry VIII, and Elizabeth I.
The Reformation: Martin Luther and the 95 Theses
The Reformation: Martin Luther's Protest Against Indulgences
Martin Luther wrote the 95 Theses in 1517 to protest the Catholic Church's sale of indulgences. He believed salvation came through faith alone, not through payments or Church rituals.
Example
Luther nailed the 95 Theses to a church door in Wittenberg. His words quickly spread across Europe using the printing press.
Quick Tip: Luther wanted to reform the Church, not start a new one.
Mini-Quiz
Who wrote the 95 Theses that criticized Church practices?
A) Henry VIII
B) Martin Luther
C) John Wycliffe
D) Pope Leo X
Correct answer: B
FAQ
Why did Martin Luther write the 95 Theses during the Reformation?
He opposed the sale of indulgences and called for Church reform.
The Reformation: Mary I and Protestant Persecution
The Reformation: Mary I's Return to Catholicism
Mary I of England reversed Protestant reforms during her reign. She supported Catholic practices and punished those who followed Protestant beliefs.
Example
Mary ordered the execution of hundreds of Protestants. Her actions earned her the nickname "Bloody Mary."
Quick Tip: Mary ruled as a Catholic and tried to undo her father's changes.
Mini-Quiz
Which monarch persecuted Protestants and supported Catholicism?
A) Elizabeth I
B) Mary I
C) Edward VI
D) James I
Correct answer: B
FAQ
What did Mary I do during the English Reformation?
She promoted Catholicism and persecuted Protestant reformers.
The Reformation: Pope Leo X and Excommunication
The Reformation: Pope Leo X's Response to Luther
Pope Leo X issued a decree threatening Martin Luther with excommunication. Luther refused to recant, and the Pope officially removed him from the Church.
Example
In 1521, Luther burned the Pope's decree and was excommunicated. This act separated him from the authority of the Catholic Church.
Quick Tip: Excommunication meant Luther was cut off from the Church completely.
Mini-Quiz
Which pope excommunicated Martin Luther?
A) Clement VII
B) Leo X
C) Urban II
D) Innocent III
Correct answer: B
FAQ
Why did Pope Leo X excommunicate Martin Luther during the Reformation?
Luther refused to take back his writings that criticized Church authority.
The Reformation: Charles V and the Holy Roman Empire
The Reformation: Charles V's Role in Religious Conflict
Charles V ruled the Holy Roman Empire during the Reformation. He opposed Protestantism but could not stop its spread due to political and military conflicts.
Example
At the Diet of Worms in 1521, Charles V demanded Luther retract his statements. Luther refused, and Charles declared him an outlaw.
Quick Tip: Charles wanted religious unity but lacked the power to enforce it.
Mini-Quiz
Who was emperor of the Holy Roman Empire during the Reformation?
A) Francis I
B) Charles V
C) Philip II
D) Henry VII
Correct answer: B
FAQ
What was Charles V's role in the Reformation?
He tried to stop Protestant ideas but failed to maintain unity.
The Reformation: Elizabeth I and Protestant Stability
The Reformation: Elizabeth I's Long Reign and Religious Settlement
Elizabeth I ruled England for over four decades. She supported a moderate form of Protestantism and helped stabilize the country after years of religious conflict.
Example
The Elizabethan Settlement combined Protestant doctrine with Catholic-style rituals. This compromise kept peace in England.
Quick Tip: Elizabeth ruled longer than her siblings and promoted unity.
Mini-Quiz
Which of Henry VIII's children ruled the longest?
A) Edward VI
B) Elizabeth I
C) Mary I
D) James I
Correct answer: B
FAQ
Why is Elizabeth I important to the English Reformation?
She established long-term Protestant rule and reduced religious tension.
The Reformation: John Wycliffe and Early Reform Ideas
The Reformation: Wycliffe's Pre-Reformation Criticism
John Wycliffe challenged the Church in the 1300s. He believed the Bible should be in English and taught that scripture held more authority than the clergy.
Example
Wycliffe's followers, known as Lollards, spread his ideas. Though he lived before the Reformation, his beliefs inspired later reformers.
Quick Tip: Wycliffe's teachings were early signs of coming change.
Mini-Quiz
Who was an early English reformer before Luther?
A) William Tyndale
B) John Wycliffe
C) Thomas More
D) John Calvin
Correct answer: B
FAQ
What did John Wycliffe do that influenced the Reformation?
He translated the Bible and challenged Church authority before Luther.
The Reformation: Parliament and Henry VIII's Divorce
The Reformation: Legal Separation from the Pope
Henry VIII wanted a divorce the Pope refused to allow. Parliament passed laws giving the king control of the Church in England, allowing the marriage to end.
Example
The Act of Supremacy in 1534 made Henry head of the Church of England. This marked England's break from the Catholic Church.
Quick Tip: Parliament made the Church of England independent from Rome.
Mini-Quiz
Which group legalized Henry VIII's divorce?
A) The Catholic Church
B) Parliament
C) The Pope
D) English bishops
Correct answer: B
FAQ
How did Henry VIII get his divorce approved during the Reformation?
Parliament passed laws that separated England from the Catholic Church.
The Reformation: Peace of Augsburg and Religious Authority
The Reformation: Agreement on Regional Religion
The Peace of Augsburg in 1555 allowed rulers in the Holy Roman Empire to choose either Lutheranism or Catholicism as their region's official religion.
Example
If a prince chose Lutheranism, people in that territory were expected to follow it. This ended some conflicts but did not include all Protestant beliefs.
Quick Tip: The treaty gave power to rulers, not individual citizens.
Mini-Quiz
What did the Peace of Augsburg allow rulers to do?
A) Choose any religion for the people
B) Choose between Catholicism or Lutheranism for their region
C) Ban all Protestants
D) Promote religious freedom for all
Correct answer: B
FAQ
What did the Peace of Augsburg decide during the Reformation?
It let rulers choose Catholicism or Lutheranism for their territories.
Lowkey Genius? Take This Quiz and Flex Your Score!
(149).jpg)
The Reformation: Corruption in the Lower Clergy
The Reformation: Problems That Weakened the Church
Many lower clergy members were untrained, broke celibacy rules, or behaved poorly. These actions led people to question the Church's authority.
Example
Some priests were illiterate, gambled, or openly disobeyed Church rules. These behaviors encouraged calls for reform.
Quick Tip: Reformers demanded better-educated, more honest clergy.
Mini-Quiz
What were common problems among the lower clergy?
A) Gambling
B) Illiteracy
C) Marriage
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
FAQ
What were common problems in the lower clergy during the Reformation?
Many were untrained, broke rules, or behaved irresponsibly.
The Reformation: Mixed-Review Quiz
1. Who wrote the 95 Theses?
A) Henry VIII
B) Martin Luther
C) Pope Leo X
D) John Calvin
Correct answer: B
2. Who promoted Catholicism and persecuted Protestants in England?
A) Elizabeth I
B) Mary I
C) Edward VI
D) James I
Correct answer: B
3. Who ruled the Holy Roman Empire during the Reformation?
A) Philip II
B) Charles V
C) Henry VII
D) Leo X
Correct answer: B
4. Who legalized Henry VIII's divorce?
A) The Pope
B) Parliament
C) Edward VI
D) Cardinal Wolsey
Correct answer: B
5. What did the Peace of Augsburg allow?
A) Free choice for individuals
B) Religious choice for regional rulers
C) Universal Catholicism
D) Ban of all Protestants
Correct answer: B
6. Who was an early reformer before Martin Luther?
A) William Tyndale
B) John Wycliffe
C) Thomas More
D) Erasmus
Correct answer: B
The Reformation reshaped European society by challenging Catholic authority, encouraging Bible access in local languages, and allowing rulers to control religion. Key figures like Luther, Wycliffe, and Elizabeth I helped build a new religious and political landscape that still influences the world today.
Feeling Smart Today? Say Less-Quiz Time!
Rate this lesson:
Back to top