Analysing Propaganda: The Importance of Propaganda during the Reformation
Evaluate the importance of propaganda in the Reformation
1. Luther and his followers used propaganda against the Catholic Church. Luther wrote many books and pamphlets, which were printed and reprinted. Most of these were in German.
2. Luther stirred up feelings against the Pope in a ballad attributed to him, Now We Drive Out the Pope (c. 1523).
Now move along, you damned son, you Whore [prostitute] of Babylon*.
You are the abomination [hated] and the Antichrist, full of lies, death and cunning.
*a place of luxury and corruption
3. Luther’s followers made very effective use of paintings and drawings in attacking the Pope and the Catholic Church.
There is an example below. The features that make this a propaganda picture are pointed out. Can you add more features?
All-action, destroying leaders of Catholicism
Sign: German Hercules
Vicious weapon
The figure of the Pope hanging off of Luther
Giant size compared to small monks
Monk/priest fleeing
Famous philosophers of the Catholic Church
What were the religious differences between the Catholic Church and Luther’s religion? Luther’s beliefs
Finding out about God The Bible Salvation
Sacraments Clergy
Head of the Church Church services
By faith alone Two sacraments – Baptism and Eucharist
Any Christian can be a clergyman; clergy can marry
Princes and kings
Catholic Church’s beliefs
The Bible and the teachings of the Church Faith and good works Seven sacraments
Clergy were specially educated; clergy cannot marry
The Pope In the vernacular (the language of the people) Mass in Latin 129