The Protestant Reformation Explained

The Protestant Reformation was a major split in Christianity that challenged the dominance of the Catholic Church in Western Europe. It was driven by long-standing corruption within the Church, political shifts, and theological disputes.

Credits
- Research: Mrs Scope
- Animation: Petra Lilla Marjai
- Audio: Seb. Soto
- Writing and Voice Over: Avery from History Scope

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Sources:

Articles
R. B. Ekelund, Jr., R. F. Hébert, R. D. Tollison – An Economic Analysis of the Protestant Reformation. Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 110, No. 3 (June 2002), pp. 646-671

Books
P. Marshall (2009) The Reformation: A Very Short History. Oxford University Press
D. MacCulloch (2003) The Reformation: A history. Penguin Books. New York

1. The Rise of Christianity
Christianity originated in the 1st century in Judea as an offshoot of Judaism. It spread throughout the Roman Empire, becoming the official state religion in 380 CE. Over time, theological disputes led to splits, such as Coptic Christianity in Egypt and the Great Schism of 1054, which divided the Church into Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.

2. Decline of the Catholic Church
By the 11th century, Catholicism was dominant in Western Europe, but its authority was challenged by external and internal forces. The Crusades failed to reclaim Muslim-held territories, and the rising Ottoman Empire diminished the Pope’s political influence. Meanwhile, corruption within the Church—such as bishops acting as political rulers and the sale of indulgences—provoked criticism. Some clergy, like John Wyclif, began questioning the Church’s authority.

3. Martin Luther and the 95 Theses
Martin Luther, a German priest, argued that salvation came through faith alone and that many Catholic practices, especially indulgences, were unbiblical. In 1517, he nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, sparking debate. The printing press allowed his ideas to spread rapidly, leading to his excommunication in 1521.

4. Lutheranism and the Protestant Reformation
Lutheranism rejected the Catholic Church’s hierarchy, rituals, and most sacraments. It emphasized a direct relationship with God, and its priests could marry. Lutheranism spread across Northern Europe, supported by some German princes who opposed papal authority. This led to religious conflicts, including the German Peasants’ War (1524–1525) and the Schmalkaldic War (1546–1555), ending in the Peace of Augsburg, which allowed rulers to choose their state’s religion.

5. Calvinism and Other Protestant Movements
John Calvin, based in Switzerland, developed Calvinism, which emphasized predestination and strict moral discipline. Calvinism spread to France (where it led to civil war), Scotland (becoming Presbyterianism), the Netherlands, and parts of Germany. The Anabaptists, another radical group, rejected infant baptism and promoted communal living.

6. The English Reformation
In England, Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 after the Pope refused to annul his marriage. He established the Church of England (Anglicanism), which gradually adopted Protestant beliefs. This led to religious conflicts, forcing some Puritans and other groups to migrate to America.

7. The 30 Years’ War (1618–1648)
Religious tensions culminated in the 30 Years’ War, a brutal conflict in Central Europe between Catholics and Protestants. It ended with the Treaty of Westphalia, allowing religious tolerance within states and marking the end of large-scale religious wars in Europe.

8. The Catholic Reformation
In response, the Catholic Church initiated reforms to combat corruption and reaffirm its doctrines. The Council of Trent (1545–1563) standardized religious teachings, reinforced discipline, and expanded missionary efforts, leading to the spread of Catholicism in the Americas and Asia.

9. Religious Colonization
Catholic Spain and Portugal sought to convert indigenous peoples in their colonies, often forcibly. Protestant colonists, particularly Puritans, settled in North America to escape persecution. However, efforts to spread Christianity in Asia faced resistance from local rulers.

10. The Legacy of the Reformation
The Protestant Reformation reshaped Christianity and European society. It led to religious pluralism, the decline of papal authority, and the rise of capitalism, influenced by Protestant work ethics. It also encouraged literacy and individual interpretation of scripture, laying the foundation for modern secularism.