1

Politics & ReligionRenaissance & Reformation

2Essential Question

• How was politics affected by religion during the Renaissance & Reformation?

3Religion

• Martin Luther & 95 Theses• 1517 – Luther posted 95 Theses on church door• Challenged Pope’s right to sell indulgences• Excommunicated by Pope• Burned Pope’s decrees in defiance• Banned as outlaw by Charles V• Established Lutheran Church• Followers called Protestants, Protestantism born

4Religion

• Reform• Speaks of Europe’s conversion to Protestantism• John Calvin supported Luther’s movement• Effects:• End of Religious Unity• Growth of Royal Power• Persecution

5Religion

• Counter-Reformation• Catholic Church had to change in response to Protestantism• Council of Trent (1545-1563) – Held to redefine Catholic

beliefs & stop spread of Protestantism. Ended sale of indulgences.

• The Jesuits – Started by Ignatius Loyola in 1534. Dedicated to defending & spreading Catholicism.

6Religion

• Inquisition• Part of Counter-Reformation• Was a court whose purpose was to punish heretics• Used by church officials to end heresy• Trials used to examine, often torture, those who denied or

opposed church’s teachings

7Religion

• Sikhism• Founded in northern India in 1469 by Guru Nanak• Guru – Spiritual guide or teacher• Sikhs believed in one God, and that all human beings are equal

in God’s eyes• Rejected caste system• Individuals achieve salvation through:• Devotion to God• Truthful Living• Service to Humanity• Standing up for Justice

8Politics

• Niccolo Machiavelli• Politician in Florence• Followed concept of “ends justified the means”• Concept influenced many leaders• Collected taxes, raised armies, exchanged ambassadors

9Politics

• Henry VIII (8th)• King of England• Broke with Catholic Church – Pope wouldn’t grant him

divorce• Turned to Protestantism• Closed monasteries & seized church lands• Declared himself Head of the English Church – Act of

Supremacy 1534

10Politics

• Catherine of Aragon• Henry VIII’s 1st wife• Divorced because she didn’t give birth to a son• Had daughter, Mary

11Politics

• Catholic Church• Weakened by growing wealth of Italian city-states• Lost power as secular leaders gained power• Started Counter-Reformation in response to spread of

Protestantism

12Politics

• Mary I• Daughter of Henry VIII & Catherine of Aragon• Replaced step-brother (Charles VI) as ruler of England in

1553• First Queen of England• Devoted Catholic – Wanted England to return to

Catholicism• Married Phillip II of Spain• Persecuted protestants in great number – Earned name

“Bloody Mary”

13Politics

• Elizabeth I• Queen of England• Secular ruler – Not tied to the Church• Maintained moderate form of Protestantism• Defended England from Spanish attacks

14Politics

• Glorious Revolution (1688-1689)• 2nd Revolution in England• James II converted to Catholicism• Parliament kicked him out & invited daughter & husband to

rule• Parliament – Legislative body made up of nobles & elected

representatives. Approval was needed to enact new taxes.

15Politics

• English Bill of Rights• Agreed to by William & Mary, rulers that replaced James II• Gave Parliament supremacy over rulers• Had to approve new taxes or raising of army• Never successfully challenged again

16Essential Question

• How was politics affected by religion during the Renaissance & Reformation?