Timeline of the Protestant Reformation Flashcards
What event officially began the Protestant Reformation?
Martin Luther nailing his ‘95 Theses’ to the church door in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517
This act criticized practices of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly the sale of indulgences.
What were indulgences in the context of the Protestant Reformation?
A promise that the recipient’s sins would be forgiven
Luther criticized the sale of indulgences as corruption.
Who were Luther’s followers known as?
Lutherans
They emerged as a result of Luther’s teachings and criticisms of the Catholic Church.
What year was Martin Luther summoned to the Diet of Worms?
1521
This assembly was convened by Emperor Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire.
What did Luther famously state at the Diet of Worms?
‘I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. Here I stand. I can do no other.’
This statement reflected his commitment to his beliefs.
What was the Edict of Worms?
An edict issued by Emperor Charles V condemning Luther as a notorious heretic
It banned citizens of the Holy Roman Empire from sharing Luther’s ideas.
What significant work did John Calvin publish in 1536?
Institutes of the Christian Religion
This book outlined Calvin’s teachings, including the concept of predestination.
What is the concept of predestination according to Calvin?
That all events are known by God, including who will be saved
This belief became central to Calvinism.
What major action did Henry VIII take regarding the Church of England?
Directed Parliament to abolish the Pope’s authority in England
This was in response to the Pope’s refusal to grant him a divorce.
What was the First Act of Supremacy?
A law passed in 1534 making Henry VIII the supreme head of the Church of England
This solidified the break from the Roman Catholic Church.
What was the purpose of the Council of Trent?
To address criticisms raised by reformers and reaffirm Catholic teachings
It marked the beginning of the Counter Reformation.
What principle was established by the Peace of Augsburg in 1555?
Cuius regio, eius religio (whose realm, his religion)
This allowed individual rulers to choose the religion of their realms.
Who was John Knox?
A Scottish clergyman who became a founder of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland
He was influenced by John Calvin’s teachings.
What was the Edict of Nantes issued in 1598?
An edict granting religious freedom to the Huguenots in France
This contributed to a period of religious tolerance and relative peace.
What sparked the 30 Years’ War?
The Defenestration of Prague in 1618
Protestant lords threw Catholic lords out of a window, escalating tensions.
What was the outcome of the 30 Years’ War?
It ended with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648
The war became one of the most destructive conflicts in European history.
