#AP European History: Unit 2 - Reformation and Religious Wars (c. 1450 - c. 1648)

Hey there! 👋 Let's dive into Unit 2, where we explore the religious shake-ups that transformed Europe. Remember, this unit is all about the Protestant Reformation and its ripple effects. This is a unit, so make sure you're comfortable with all the key points!

#⛪️ Religious Pluralism and the Pre-Reformation Landscape

• Religious Diversity: Europe wasn't religiously uniform before the Reformation.
  • Roman Catholics: Dominant in Central and Western Europe.
  • Orthodox Christians: Prevalent in Eastern Europe.
  • Jewish and Muslim Communities: Also present, though often marginalized.
• Christian Political Dominance: With the exception of the Ottoman Empire 🕌, Christian rulers held political power.
  

#💥 The Protestant Reformation

Learning Objective: Explain the context in which the religious, political, and cultural developments of the 16th and 17th centuries took place.

Learning Objective: Explain how and why religious belief and practices changed from 1450 to 1648. * What was it? A protest against the Roman Catholic Church, aiming for reform.

• Why?
  • Corruption: Church leaders were often corrupt, gaining power through bribes and family ties.
  • Theology: Disagreements over the nature of God and salvation.
• Key Players:
  • Martin Luther: German monk who started the Reformation in 1517 with his 95 Theses 📜.
  • John Calvin: Organized Protestant ideas, emphasizing predestination.
• Core Theological Differences:
  • Catholicism: Salvation through sacraments administered by clergy.
  • Protestantism: Salvation through faith alone; scripture (Bible) as the ultimate authority.
• Impact of the Printing Press: Facilitated the spread of Protestant ideas and increased literacy 📖.

Portrait of Martin Luther, 1529, painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder

Map showing Protestant territories at their peak in blue, c. 1600.

#🛡️ Catholic Reformation (Counter-Reformation)

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