The Protestant Reformation

Church hierarchy developed

from Roman government Roman government was a rigid

pyramid/top-down political system

When Roman government collapsed, The Church was the only structure left

Roman Emperor had been seen as a God/god like

Pope seen as link to God/Christ’s representative on earth

Do these traits compliment or conflict with Renaissance ideals?

Catholic Church

Wealth and Political Power Had to defend the Papal

States from French and Italian Enemies

Lower clergy was often times illiterate and unofficially married

As literacy spread during the Renaissance, people began to expect more from their priests

Renaissance Popes

From a copper mining family Father wanted him to be a

lawyer When caught in storm, he

promised to become a monk Fasted and prayed but still

felt like a sinner “The just shall live by faith” Faith alone was needed for

salvation

Martin Luther

Prompted by

selling of indulgences by Johann Tetzel

Posted on the church door in Wittenberg

Within 6 months printing presses had spread it all over Germany

Called for a full reform of the Catholic Church

Did not call for a split from the Church

The 95 Theses

I. Salvation was

by faith alone (not faith and good works)

II. Bible was the only authority (not Church tradition)

III. Priesthood of all believers (no need for priest class)

Three Main Points of Luther’s 95 Theses

Pope Leo X

excommunicates Martin Luther

Holy Roman Emperor Charles V sides with the Pope against Luther

Reactions of the Holy Roman Emperor and the

Pope

From the

Hapsburgs, an Austrian noble family

The most powerful man in Europe

Won many lands through marriages

Charles V

European Lands of Charles V

German Princes who had remained loyal to Pope signed

agreement to join forces against Luther 1529- German Princes who had agreed with the teachings

of Luther signed a protest against this Catholic league of princes and become known as Protestants

1530- Augsburg Confession signed- asserts main tenants of what will become the Lutheran Church

1531- The Protestant Princes form the Schmalkaldic League for mutual protection against the Catholic Princes And Holy Roman Emperor Charles V

1544- Charles V feels safe form the French and Turks and attacks the Schmalkaldic League.

Charles V vs. Protestant Princes

Founders of the Schmalkaldic League

Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse

John Frederick I, Elector of Saxony

1546-1547- Charles V could never wipe out

the Protestant faith with initial military victories even though he won the Schmalkaldic War

1552- He provoked another revolt of Protestant Princes by trying to force them back into the Catholic Church

Charles V flees from superior Protestant forces 1555- Charles V agrees to the Peace of

Augsburg

Schmalkaldic War

1555 Each prince could

choose his own religion

Catholic or Lutheran- Not Calvinist

Retain loyalty to Holy Roman Emperor

Peace of Augsburg

Retires to

monastery Gives Spain,

Netherlands, Americas to his son, Philip II

Gives Holy Roman Empire to his brother, Ferdinand I

Charles V Disillusioned

Philip II of Spain