Protestant reformation was the 16 th century religious upheaval that challenged Catholic’s papal authority and the church’s ability to define Christianity. In Europe, the catholic had become deeply involved in Europe’s politics in the 15 th century. The church was intertwined with the political system, such that that Catholic’s principles were applied in ruling. Cultural renaissance that occurred at the end of the 15 th century evoked reformation, additionally the renaissance popes were notoriously worldly such that the church became associated with immense immorality and over indulgence. Eventually, the reformation broke across Europe causing different political, social and economic effects that shaped today’s Europe.
Since the church was involved in Europe politics, the reformation had dire political effects. The Holy Roman Empire which was glued by papacy disintegrated and there was a rise of independent territorial kingdoms. After the reformation, the political landscape in Europe remained tense and eventually culminated in the Thirty Years’ of War of the 17 th century. Though, Martin Luther’s writing might have inspired reformation, he also wrote about the political effects of reformation particularly in Germany (Luther, 1525). In An Abomination of Peace , Luther criticizes the leadership of German lords after the reformation (Document 1). The lords and the princes rebelled against the Roman Empire, and instead of establishing just territories they robbed and killed subjects so that they could maintain opulent lifestyles.
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Political revolt spread like wildfire across Europe, many people just like Martin Luther could no longer submit their faith in the pope as it was evident that they erred frequently and often contradicted each other (Document 8). In France, the political upheaval lasted from 1560 to the end of the 16 th century. Protestants were massacred by France’s catholic monarch. The series of wars went on until general tolerance was implemented. Furthermore, England was also marred with political upheavals and instability after the death of King Edward VII in 1553. The most notable war caused by the reformation was the Thirty Years’ War between Protestants and Catholics across Europe between 1618- 1648. The war was responsible for the loss of millions of lives, and it eventually led to the decline of Catholic influence in European politics.
Another significant political effect is the increased anti-Semitism in Europe. Martin Luther’s anti-Semitic pamphlet of 1543 increased Europe’s animosity towards the Jews (Document 5). Luther’s anti- Semitic pamphlet pointed out that the Jews did not belong in Europe yet they were responsible for their money. Eventually, the Jews were pushed away to Eastern Europe in the face of increasing anti- Semitism.
Notably, the reformation was also responsible for various social effects across Europe. After the reformation, there was increasing tolerance towards different religions nonetheless it did not come with equality for both sexes. While protestant reformation transformed the position of women in society, women still had two primary responsibilities in her life: bear children and to obey her husband particularly in the Calvinist sect. From Document 7, is evident that priests and monks were involved in social immoralities of having many concubines and illegitimate off springs, which shows that patriarchy and low position of women in society was upheld in the reformation and post-reformation Europe. Nonetheless, Protestantism abolished convents and nunneries, instead women were encouraged to read and interpret the Bible for themselves, this improved women’s ability to read and their role in society. Reformation also encouraged a humanistic approach towards education.
Due to the development of the printing technology (Document 3), the popular culture spread faster than the Catholic ideals. Protestant ideals were spread easily across Europe, and people adopted them because they were disappointed in the Catholic Church. Some of the Protestant ideals included elimination of celibacy, increased role of women, ability for men and women to read the Bible together, and women’s education. While referring to the role of women in marriage, Luther asserted that under the law of matrimony all that belongs to a husband also belongs to the wife (Document 4).
Social revolutions were also inspired by the reformation. Due to the reformation, there was changes in power structure as the Catholic clergy lost its influence, the rich and the middle class took over the reins of leadership, while the poor became more resentful and revolted against the leadership. The revolution reduced the social opportunities for the peasants as the rich used every opportunity to steal (Document 1).
Lastly, the reformation had major religious effects on Europe. It challenged the supremacy of the Catholic Church, and its power over people’s salvation. According to Ignatius Loyola (Document 9), he asserts that the Catholic clergy are not in charge of one’s salvation hence they cannot condemn or save. Protestantism as new religion introduced new concepts and ideas which appealed to many people across Europe. Catholic’s involvement in politics and increased immorality made people to embrace the new Protestantism religion. Luther in Document 6 challenges the power of the clergy and political rulers who punish and claim that they are fulfilling God’s wishes. The rising Protestantism introduced new ideas that challenged Catholic’s traditions such as translating the Bible into different vernacular languages, refusing to recognize the authority of the pope, doing away with the sacraments, introduction of marriage for clergy and referring to the Bible as the only true source of Christian authority.
The reformation also encouraged positive changes within the Catholic Church as a way of countering the reformation. It became a well-known fact that increasing immorality and over-indulgence in the Catholic Church was one of the reason for the reformation. Hence, new reform orders and events were introduced to renew people’s faith in the Catholic Church, reform orders such as Theatines and Oratorians.
Another religious effect is the increased religious war in the late 16 th century and early 17 th century. The Thirty Years’ War between Protestants and Catholics significant reduced Europe’s population. The religious wars went on for many years paralyzing socio and religious activities across Europe. While the wars were religiously motivated, they were exaggerated by different political ambitions from the rich and the clergy struggling to retain power.
In conclusion, the reformation introduced new protestant religious sects such as Lutheranism, Calvinism and Anglicismacross Europe thus challenging Catholic’s supremacy in determining key aspects of European society. Protestantism was not warmly welcomed, and it led to various religious and political wars across Europe. Nonetheless, the effects of reformation are responsible for today’s European society where Europe’s political unit is separate from the religious unit. The clergy no longer has power in determining how the society operates. Above all, reformation introduced the concept of religious tolerance across Europe.
References
Ganss, G. E. (1991). Ignatius of Loyola: The spiritual exercises and selected works . Paulist Press. (Document 9).
Luther, M. (1967). 95 theses: with the pertinent documents from the history of the Reformation . Concordia Pub. House.
Luther, M. On the Jews and their Lies (1543).
Luther, M. Against the Robbing and Murdering Hordes ofPeasants. Luther’s Works , 46 . (1525).
Luther, M. Martin Luther's reply when summoned to appear before the Emperor at the Diet of Worms to answer for writing his 95 Theses (Document 8)
Luther, M. An Abomination of Peace (1525).
