Crash Course World History: The Protestant Reformation

Introduction

• Presenter: John Green
• Importance of religious history in understanding societal lenses and perspectives.
• Protestant Reformation is a significant historical event.

Pre-Reformation Context

• Dominance of Roman Catholicism in Europe since the 4th century.
• Catholic Church's extensive influence in medieval European life:
  • Spiritual guidance (baptism, marriage, confessions, last rites)
  • Social services (alms, orphanages, education)
  • Ownership of over 1/3 of European land.
  • Pope’s authority over European kings.

Martin Luther's Role

• Martin Luther initiated the Reformation.
• Luther’s journey:
  • Law student turned monk after a life-changing storm.
  • Noticed corruption in Rome.
  • Found answers in St. Paul’s epistles: salvation through faith alone (sola fide).
• Discontent with Church's practices, especially sale of indulgences by John Tetzel.

95 Theses and Escalation

• Luther's 95 Theses against indulgences (1517).
• Debate with church authorities, leading to radical positions:
  • Critique of church rituals and powers.
  • Idea of a "priesthood of all believers."

Spread of Ideas

• Luther's ideas spread rapidly due to the printing press.
• Translation of the Bible into German made scriptures accessible to laypeople.
• Resulted in multiple Protestant denominations (e.g., Zwinglians, Calvinists, Anabaptists).

Social and Political Impact

• Led to religious, social, and political upheaval:
  • German Peasants’ Revolt (1525) - Luther opposed it, siding with nobility.
• Princes adopted Lutheranism for political and economic benefits:
  • Example of Grand Master Albert's conversion and establishment of the Duchy of Prussia.

Long-term Effects

• Establishment of various Protestant denominations (Anglicans, Puritans, Quakers, etc.).
• Religious wars and eventual movement towards toleration in Europe.
• Impact on capitalism (Max Weber's theory) and political ideas of protest and reform.
• Influence on modern civil rights movements.

Conclusion

• Reformation as both a religious and political movement.
• John Green’s sign-off and prompt to support Crash Course.