AP European History: Pre-Reformation Review 🚀

Hey, future AP Euro superstar! Let's get you prepped for the exam with this supercharged review of the pre-Reformation era. We’ll make sure everything clicks so you can walk in confident and ready to ace it!

⛪ Pre-Luther Reformers and Movements

The Catholic Church was THE power player in Europe for centuries. But, whispers of dissent started long before Martin Luther.

Key Figures

• Jan Hus and John Wycliffe: These guys were the OG critics of the Church. Think of them as the opening act for the Reformation's headliner. 🎤 *

* Believed the Bible should be in the *vernacular* (common language) so everyone could read it. *

Why They Matter?

• They were major influences on the Protestant Reformation. Their ideas laid the groundwork for Luther and others.

😠 Critiques of the Catholic Church

So, what was everyone so upset about? Here’s the tea:

Indulgences 💸

• These were documents sold by the Church promising to reduce time in purgatory.

* **Johann Tetzel’s** famous line: “As soon as the coin in coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.” 💰 * Money from indulgences was used to rebuild **St. Peter’s Basilica** in Rome.

Other Issues

• Simony: Buying and selling church offices. 💼
• Nepotism: Favoring family members for church positions. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Use of force to suppress dissent. ⚔️
• Lack of knowledge among priests. 📚

The Borgias

• An Italian family that exemplified the abuse of clerical power. Think of them as the reality TV stars of the Renaissance Church. 📺

📈 Economic Developments

The world was changing, and the economy was no exception!

The Commercial Revolution

• Growth of commerce (buying and selling of goods) in Europe.
• Fueled by voyages of exploration and increased trade. 🚢

The Printing Press 📰

• Invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440. * Revolutionized the spread of information. Think of it as the viral tweet of the 15th century.
• Allowed for mass production of documents, including Luther's writings.

Impact

• Cities expanded, and new inventions emerged.
• Traditional ways of life were challenged. 💡

🏛️ Political Developments

Political power was also shifting, often intertwining with religious changes.

Rise of State Power

• Governments began to strengthen their own power at the expense of the Church.

* **Political centralization** increased, though not as much as in the Age of Absolutism. * Henry VII empowered the **Star Chamber**, a court under the King's jurisdiction.

Political-Religious Conflicts

• The Thirty Years’ War is a prime example of the complex interplay between religious, political, and economic motives.
• New religious teachings provided justifications to challenge state authority.

Image

Caption: The printing press revolutionized the spread of ideas, making it a crucial tool during the Reformation.

🎯 Final Exam Focus

• Key Topics: Pre-Luther reformers, critiques of the Catholic Church, the printing press, and the intersection of politics and religion.
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple Choice: Expect questions on the causes of the Reformation and the impact of the printing press.
  • Short Answer: Be ready to discuss the criticisms of the Church and the roles of key figures like Hus and Wycliffe.
  • Free Response: Analyze how economic and political changes contributed to the religious upheaval of the Reformation.
• Time Management: Don't get bogged down in the details of every reformer. Focus on the big picture and the main themes.
• Common Pitfalls: Confusing the different types of criticisms against the Church. Make sure you can distinguish between simony, nepotism, and indulgences.
• Strategies: Connect the dots between different units. For example, how did the Renaissance and the Age of Exploration contribute to the Reformation?

📝 Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the primary criticism leveled against the Catholic Church regarding the sale of indulgences? (A) They were a form of taxation without representation. (B) They undermined the authority of the Pope. (C) They were seen as a corrupt practice that exploited people's religious beliefs. (D) They were not effective in reducing time in purgatory.

2. The invention of the printing press in the mid-15th century is significant because it: (A) Led to a decrease in literacy rates across Europe. (B) Facilitated the rapid spread of new ideas, including those of the Reformation. (C) Resulted in the decline of trade and commerce. (D) Strengthened the authority of the Catholic Church.

3. Jan Hus and John Wycliffe are best known for: (A) Leading the Catholic Church's counter-reformation efforts. (B) Challenging the authority of the Catholic Church prior to the Protestant Reformation. (C) Advocating for the expansion of the Holy Roman Empire. (D) Promoting the scientific method.

Short Answer Question

Briefly explain how economic and political developments in the pre-Reformation era contributed to the religious upheaval of the 16th century.

Free Response Question

Analyze the various factors that led to the Protestant Reformation. Be sure to address at least three distinct factors, and provide specific historical examples for each.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt.
• Argument Development (4 points):
  • Identifies and explains three distinct factors that led to the Reformation (e.g., religious, economic, political). (3 points)
  • Provides specific historical examples to support each factor (e.g., indulgences, printing press, rise of state power). (1 point)
• Synthesis (1 point): Demonstrates an understanding of the connections between the Reformation and other historical developments (e.g., Renaissance, Age of Exploration).

You’ve got this! Let’s go ace that exam! 💪