Protestant Reformation in 1500s England

Not only did the Protestant Reformation change the political climate of Europe at the time, but changed many things that would affect history and subsequent events. As a result of Calvinism spreading, more people left the Catholic Church and followed Calvin, resulting in loss of power held by the church. In addition, the overall outlook of religion changed throughout Europe, creating several diverse churches, each with powerful rulers believing different groups. Finally, due to the varying religions across Europe, the Peace of Augsburg began the beginning of a series of civil wars and conflicts across Europe. The Protestant Reformation caused a major change in the politics of Europe during the 1500’s.

The loss of power in the Catholic Church resulted in many things, in addition to being a major benefactor of allowing Europe to develop, whether through ideas, culture, or technology. With the Church not having as much power, less people would listen to them, therefore changing how the governments viewed the church. The relationship between them deteriorated, since the state found that not having a relationship with the church would be more profitable, since they were not as intimidating as they were previously. Additionally, King Henry VIII weakened the Church even more because he broke off of it as a result of Pope Clement VII not granting him a divorce, so he broke off and formed the Church of England (a.k.a. Anglican Church). Without the Catholic Church in power and the Peace of Augsburg signed, many nations took up different religions, mainly Protestant or Catholic, forming alliances, bonded by similar beliefs.

What Luther believed and was trying to accomplish was for the Church to have a simpler and more direct faith in god. Instead of having all of the ceremonies, all the indulgences, and all of the corrupt doctrines, he believed that religion should call fore a simple, direct faith in god. That, he believed, along with some other things, would send you straight to heaven. As he called on the Catholic Church to reform their documents and get rid of all the “fancy stuff,” they excommunicated him for heredity. Others like him believed in the same concept, and thought that the Catholic Church was not doing what it was meant for. With all of the religions arising, and the comments on the Church, the powerful individuals began to become more persuaded with these rising minorities.

By splitting up the countries and allowing them to choose their own religion, it split up the religious unity in Europe, and sometimes split countries by opposing religious forces. An example of this was mostly all of the Northern and North-Western Europe was Protestant, and the Southern part of Europe was mostly Catholic. Although there were minorities of other religions in each region, the dominating religion was still as it was previously stated. Not only was it countries having different religions, but regions inside of countries like France, Germany, and England (during the Tudor Dynasty) were divided by religion. By having the geographically divided continent and countries, it led to many civil wars and conflicts between bordering, non-agreeing countries.

The Protestant Reformation affected the political climate of Europe greatly in many different ways. The Church lost a great amount of power and influence in the world when Luther and others spread their ideas around Europe about their wrongdoings. Along with Luther arose many more groups that stood up to the church and created their own churches, each having their own beliefs and systems. Finally, with the increased tolerance and the Peace of Augsburg, countries and the continent were divided, resulting in many more problems and civil wars. Would Luther and all of the humanists back then have such an immediate influence if the printing press was never invented, and how long would it have been before everyone began to realize the Church’s corruption?