MAKING HISTORY


Religion played a very important part in people’s lives. People explained happenings according to God’s will. They also believed that the Church provided all the answers to life and that it was only through the Catholic Church that salvation (a place in heaven) could be achieved (see also Chapter 5, p. 70).


But there were many problems with the Catholic Church. These problems led to the Reformation in the 16th century.


What does this procession in St Mark’s Square in Venice tell you about the importance of religion in the 16th century?


What was the Reformation?


The Reformation began in Germany in the 16th century as a protest against the abuses (corruption) in the Catholic Church. It began as an attempt to improve the Catholic Church, and resulted in the founding of Protestant churches. Less than 100 years later, most of the people of northern Europe were Protestants, who rejected the Pope and his teachings. The Reformation brought about this change.


The causes of the Reformation 1


Wealth of the Church 5 The printing press 4 The power of kings and princes 1 Wealth of the Church


By 1500, the Catholic Church had great wealth. In Germany, the Catholic Church owned about one-third of the land. Many people were jealous of this wealth. There was also a dislike amongst people to paying extra taxes or church dues to an outside power in Rome.


2 The influence of the Renaissance


The Renaissance encouraged people to question everything. This questioning spirit was applied to all areas of knowledge, including religion. Many scholars could now read the Bible for themselves. l They criticised the Catholic Church and said that it was not following what was written in the Bible.


122 2


LONG-TERM CAUSES OF THE REFORMATION


Influence of the Renaissance Abuses in the


3 Catholic Church


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