The Reformation
Medival Times
What was the change?
Who were some people associated with the change?
Martin Luther
Martin Luther didn't agree to what the Church was doing so he wrote the 95 Theses attacking the Church. In one of his teachings, he teaches that you didn't need the Church to have faith. All you needed for salvation was faith and God's gift of forgiveness. Teaching people his teachings weakened the Church even more. He ended up being excommunicated because of this. Many Protestants, or anyone who protest against the Pope, were also followers of Luther. Martin Luther started the Reformation.
Gutenberg
Gutenberg was also a big contribute to the Reformation. He created the printing press. The printing press made it possible to produce books quickly and cheaply. Well, Martin Luther had the 95 Theses, so with the help of the printing press, it produced more and more secular books. These books spread all over Europe, making the Church even angrier. As a result, the Church decided to burn all 95 Theses.
John Calvin
John Calvin was inspired by Luther. He didn't necessarily attack the Church in a negative way like Martin Luther, but was still a part of the Reformation. Calvin believed that governments should be theocracy. He believing this lead him leading the Reformation in Switzerland. Making more people in Europe more exposed to the Reformation movement.
How did the change impact society? (short term)
The Reformation had many effects that happened. One effect was both Catholics and Protestants drew there attention to education. The Pope created religious order called Jesuits. Jesuits focused a lot on education or the teaching of Christ and the bible, to have more Catholics, and to wipe out Protestants. They did not just have a short term effect, but also a long term too. Though many things were improving, woman’s role in the Church was still limited.
How is the Reformation seen today's modern society? (long term effects)
Nation States wanted more power like expansion for themselves and their country; this shaped the territories of countries today in Europe. The Church had less power in the government during the Renaissance and Reformation time, but now they have absolute no say in the government. Europe today has even more political power than religious. Jesuits not only impacted the society before, yet influence society now too. Jesuits found many school during the 1500s, and even today they run 45 high schools and 28 colleges. Even things that have happened hundreds of years ago can effect and influence each other today.