AP European History: Protestant Reformation and Wars of Religion

Introduction

• Importance of Unit 2 for AP European History: Protestant Reformation and Wars of Religion.
• Roman Catholic Church dominance in Western Europe post-1054 split with Eastern Orthodox Church.

Corruption in the Catholic Church (1500s)

• Simony: Buying and selling of church offices.
• Nepotism: Appointment of family/friends to church offices.
• Indulgences: Buying/selling salvation.

Martin Luther and Protestant Reformation

• Martin Luther: Augustinian monk, Christian humanist.
• Key Beliefs:
  • Salvation by grace alone through faith.
  • Scripture as sole authority.
  • Priesthood of all believers.
• 95 Theses: Criticisms of Church corruption nailed to Wittenberg church door (1517).
• Aftermath:
  • Luther's ideas spread via printing press, especially pamphlets.
  • Trial at Diet of Worms, excommunication, protection by Frederick III.

Spread of Reformation

• John Calvin in Switzerland:
  • Predestination & Elect: God's choice for salvation, resulting in good works.
  • Theocracy in Geneva: Church-state integration, strict moral laws.
  • Influence: Spread of Calvinism, leading to Presbyterians, Huguenots, Puritans.
• Anabaptists:
  • Rejected infant baptism, believed in adult baptism.
  • Pacifists, separation of church and state.

Wars of Religion

French Wars of Religion

• Huguenots: French Protestants.
• Key Events:
  • Massacre of Vassy (1562) initiated conflict.
  • St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre (1572).
  • War of the Three Henrys (1587-1589).
• Outcome: Edict of Nantes (1598) by Henry IV, granting religious tolerance.

Thirty Years' War (1618-1648)

• Background: Peace of Augsburg (1555) allowed choice between Lutheranism and Catholicism.
• Phases:
  • Bohemian (1618-1625): Local conflict in Bohemia.
  • Danish (1625-1630): Denmark vs. Catholic forces.
  • Swedish (1630-1635): Sweden led Protestant forces.
  • French (1635-1648): France joined Protestant side.
• Peace of Westphalia (1648): Ended Thirty Years' War and religious conflicts in Europe.

Catholic Reformation (Counter-Reformation)

• Pope Paul III: Established Roman Inquisition, Index of Prohibited Books.
• Council of Trent (1545-1563): Reaffirmed Catholic doctrines, suppressed simony/indulgences.
• New Religious Orders: Jesuits, Carmelites.
  • Jesuits: Missionary works, education, spiritual renewal.

Social Hierarchies and Gender Roles

• Class determined by wealth, rise of merchant elites.
• Religion: Social standing influenced by religious beliefs.
• Gender: Patriarchy dominated, debate on women's roles (Querelle des Femmes).
• Protestant vs. Catholic Views on Women:
  • Protestant women were subservient.
  • Anabaptists allowed women leadership roles.

Culture and Society

• Public Morals: Secular authorities legislate morals, prostitution outlawed.
• Punishments: Stocks, flogging as public humiliation.
• Leisure Activities: Blood sports, Saints' Day festivities.
• Witchcraft Craze: Scapegoating during social upheaval, execution of women.

Art and Culture

• Mannerism: Distorted figures, emotion, Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment.
• Baroque Art: Emotional, dramatic, Catholic Reformation influence.
  • Peter Paul Rubens: Notable Baroque artist, Elevation of the Cross.

Conclusion

• Emphasis on studying for success in AP European History and understanding the impact of the Reformation on European society and politics.