#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)

Learning Objective: Explain the continuities and changes in the role of the Catholic Church from 1450 to 1648. * What was it? The Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation.

• Key Actions:
  • Council of Trent (1545-1563): Addressed corruption and reaffirmed Catholic theology.
  • New Religious Orders: Like the Jesuits, who worked to spread Catholicism and reform the church.
• Results:
  • Recaptured some territory in Central Europe.
  • Spread Catholicism in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

#⚔️ Reformation and Politics

Learning Objective: Explain how matters of religion influenced and were influenced by political factors from 1450 to 1648. * Political Motivations: * Independence: Some elites used Protestantism to gain independence from higher authorities. * Land Seizure: Princes in the Holy Roman Empire seized Church lands. * Henry VIII: Created the Church of England for personal and political reasons.

• Religious Wars: The Reformation led to numerous conflicts with political, economic, and religious dimensions.

#Major Religious Conflicts (1450-1648)

#🌍 European Society, c. 1450 - c. 1648

Learning Objective: Explain how the religious, political, and cultural developments of the 16th and 17th centuries affected European society from 1450 to 1648. > Learning Objective: Explain how economic and intellectual developments from 1450 to 1648 affected social norms and hierarchies.

• Continuities:
  • Religion, family, and agricultural calendar continued to dominate life.
  • Patriarchal social structures persisted.
• Changes:
  • Gender Roles: Debates about gender roles, but women remained in domestic roles.
  • Witchcraft Persecution: Increased fear and persecution of witchcraft, especially targeting women.
  • Closure of Abbeys: Protestants closed female abbeys, eliminating independent female communities.

#🎨 European Art, c. 1450 - c. 1648

Learning Objective: Explain how and why artistic expression changed from 1450 to 1648. * Protestant Art: More subdued and less ornate.

• Catholic Art: Flamboyant styles like Mannerism and Baroque.
• Baroque Art: Used by powerful monarchs and the Catholic Church to impress their people.

St. Ignacius Church, Rome, 1626 - 1650

#🎯 Final Exam Focus

• Key Topics:
  • Protestant Reformation (causes, key figures, theological differences)
  • Catholic Reformation (Council of Trent, Jesuits)
  • Religious Wars (causes, major conflicts, treaties)
  • Impact on Society (gender roles, witchcraft)
  • Artistic Changes (Protestant vs. Catholic art)
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple Choice: Focus on specific events, figures, and treaty details.
  • Short Answer Questions (SAQs): Often ask you to compare and contrast different religious movements or analyze the impact of the Reformation.
  • Free Response Questions (FRQs): Frequently require you to analyze the political, social, and religious consequences of the Reformation.
• Last-Minute Tips:
  • Time Management: Don't spend too much time on one question. Move on and come back if you have time.
  • Common Pitfalls: Be specific! Avoid vague generalizations. Always provide evidence to support your claims.
  • FRQ Strategies: Start with a clear thesis, use specific examples, and make sure to address all parts of the question.

#

Practice Question

Practice Questions

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following was a major cause of the Protestant Reformation? (A) The rise of powerful monarchies (B) The invention of the printing press (C) The corruption of the Catholic Church (D) The discovery of the New World

2. The Peace of Westphalia (1648) is significant because it: (A) Ended the French Wars of Religion (B) Established religious toleration throughout Europe (C) Ended the Thirty Years' War and recognized Calvinism as a legal religion (D) United the Holy Roman Empire under a single ruler

3. The Council of Trent (1545-1563) was primarily concerned with: (A) Reforming the Catholic Church in response to the Protestant Reformation (B) Promoting the spread of Protestantism (C) Establishing a new religious order (D) Reconciling Catholic and Protestant doctrines

#Free Response Question

Question: Analyze the ways in which the Protestant Reformation altered the political, social, and religious landscape of Europe between 1517 and 1648. Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt.
  • Example: The Protestant Reformation fundamentally altered Europe by fragmenting religious unity, reshaping political power structures, and causing significant social upheaval.
• Political Changes (2 points):
  • Discussion of how the Reformation led to increased power for monarchs (e.g., Henry VIII)
  • Explanation of how religious conflicts led to wars and political realignments (e.g., Peace of Westphalia)
• Social Changes (2 points):
  • Analysis of how the Reformation challenged traditional gender roles and led to the closure of monasteries
  • Discussion of the rise of witchcraft accusations and persecution
• Religious Changes (2 points):
  • Explanation of the fragmentation of Christianity into different Protestant denominations
  • Analysis of the Catholic Reformation and its impact on religious practices
• Evidence (2 points):
  • Use of specific historical examples to support claims (e.g., Martin Luther, Council of Trent, Edict of Nantes)
• Synthesis (1 point):
  • Connect the Reformation to broader themes such as the Renaissance, the rise of nation-states, or the Scientific Revolution.

Alright, you've got this! Go get 'em! 💪