AP European History - Unit 2: Protestant Reformation and Wars of Religion

Importance

• Key to achieving an A in class and a 5 on the AP Exam.
• Focus: Protestant Reformation and the subsequent Wars of Religion.

Historical Background

• First major Christian Church split in 1054: Roman Catholic Church & Eastern Orthodox Church.
• Roman Catholic Church dominated Western Europe until the 1500s.

Catholic Church Corruption in the 1500s

• Accumulated wealth and political entanglements led to corruption.
  • Simony: Buying and selling of church offices.
  • Nepotism: Appointing family and friends to church positions.
  • Indulgences: Selling salvation or purgatory releases.

Martin Luther & The Protestant Reformation

• Augustinian monk and Christian humanist.
• Key teachings: Salvation by grace through faith, Scriptures as the sole authority, priesthood of all believers.
• 95 Theses (1517): Criticized the church's corruption and called for reform.
• Printing press played a crucial role in spreading his ideas.
• Trial at Diet of Worms: Luther refused to recant, leading to excommunication.

Spread of Reformation

• German princes supported Luther to weaken papal power.
• Previous reformers: John Wycliffe, Jan Hus.
• Printing press enabled widespread distribution of Luther's works.

John Calvin & Calvinism

• Key developments: Predestination and Doctrine of the Elect.
• Establishment of a theocracy in Geneva.
• Influenced creation of Presbyterian, Huguenot, and Puritan movements.

Anabaptists

• Reformation principles with distinct views on baptism (adult only).
• Advocated separation of church and state, pacifism.

Wars of Religion

• Conflicts arose from religious tensions.

French Wars of Religion

• Huguenots vs. Catholics.
• Key events: Massacre of Vassy, St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.
• War of the Three Henrys.
• Edict of Nantes (1598): Established Catholicism but allowed Huguenot worship.

Thirty Years' War

• Sparked by the defenestration of Prague.
• Four phases: Bohemian, Danish, Swedish, and French.
• Peace of Westphalia (1648): End of Europe's religious wars, amended Peace of Augsburg.

Catholic Reformation (Counter-Reformation)

• Response to Protestant criticisms and loss of followers.
• Roman Inquisition and Index of Prohibited Books.
• Council of Trent (1545-1563): Reformed corrupt practices, affirmed doctrines.
• New religious orders: Jesuits, Carmelites.

Social Hierarchy & Gender Roles

• Social status linked to wealth, family, religion, and gender.
• Patriarchal society; women largely excluded from economic and political life.

Cultural Changes

• Rise of a merchant elite, increased social mobility.
• Protestant cities regulated morality.

Witchcraft Craze

• Perceived as a pact with the devil; thousands executed, mainly women.

Art

• Mannerism: Distorted figures, vibrant color, deep emotion.
• Baroque: Extravagant, ornate, detailed, emotional.

Conclusion

• Understanding Unit 2 is crucial for AP European History success. Study supplemental materials and utilize review packets for additional support.