Reformation and Enlightenment (1500-1750) in Europe - PDF

Reformation and Enlightenment, 1500-1750s The Transformation of Europe Political Change 16th Century ​ Conflict in Europe ○​ Spain & Portugal dominant after discovery of Americas ○​ Demise of universal Holy Roman Empire > more conflict & opportunities for others to...

Reformation and Enlightenment, 1500-1750s The Transformation of Europe Political Change 16th Century ​ Conflict in Europe ○​ Spain & Portugal dominant after discovery of Americas ○​ Demise of universal Holy Roman Empire > more conflict & opportunities for others to gain power ​ Rivals French, English, and the Dutch threatened the Portuguese and Spanish ○​ Atlantic empires expand, jealousy ensues ○​ Pirates!!! Sent to seize Spanish cargo in Atlantic; defeat Spanish armada ○​ French, English, Dutch do not find gold or silver in their colonies; not a better route to Asia ​ Beginning of the demise of Spain, great powerhouse of the Atlantic World ○​ Never again be anything close to universal empire in Europe, because Christendom was constantly at war with itself The Transformation of Europe: Religious Change ​ Protestant Reformation: Splitting of Christianity ​ Martin Luther ○​ German monk and professor ○​ Criticized papal authority and the Catholic church with his knowledge of the Bible ○​ Salvation came through God’s grace, or forgiveness, by faith, that faith would be arrived from reading the Bible ○​ Priests as mediators sere not necessary, all individuals were priests and have access to God ○​ Luther also criticized other corrupt church practices, such as sex scandals and the selling of indulgences ○​ Ninety-Five Theses of 1517 and On the Freedom of the Christian Man of 1520 The Reformation ​ Criticisms from church and Habsburg emperor (Holy Roman Empire) Charles V ○​ Declared Luther a heretic ​ Luther married a former nun, Katharina von Bora, marriage only way to prevent illicit behavior ​ Translated the bible from Latin into German, promoting public literacy ​ Protestantism gains widespread support among elites and commoners alike ​ Printing Press~ Pamphlets spread Luther’s ideas far and wide ○​ German Peasants use ideas against serfdom, elites ​ New Protestant sects develop ○​ Calvinism, Presbyterian, Anglican, etc Counter-Reformation and Persecution ​ Council of Trent 1545-1563 ○​ Catholic Church reaffirmed papal authority, church hierarchy and doctrine ○​ Corruption reforms ○​ More emphasis on individual spirituality ○​ Society of Jesus (Jesuits) to revive the Catholic Church and spread its message around the world  ​ Papacy continued its persecution and repression of heretics and “demons” ○​ Public exorcisms performed ​ Printing press and spread of Protestantism made it impossible to turn back the tide leading towards increased autonomy from the papacy ​ Reformation, and Catholic response, makes Europe an even less tolerant society ​ Persecution of witches ○​ Between 1500-1700, Protestants and Catholics alike tried, tortured, and executed 100,00 women for witchcraft ​ Europe and North America: Scottish North Berwick Trials, Swedish Torsaker Trials, Salem Witch, among others ​ Reflection of societal disruption Religious Warfare in Europe ​ 2 examples of wars between Catholics & Protestants ​ France: The bloody persecution of Protestant Huguenots by French Catholics: St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre of 1572 ​ Germany: Thirty Years War (16-18-1648): Series of Wars in central Europe ○​ Most destructive, violent, longest wars in European history ○​ Protestant princes versus Habsburg Catholic emperor for religious predominance in central Europe ​ Struggle of continental control between Catholic powers, namely, the Spanish and Austrian Habsburgs and the French ​ War, famine, and disease killed over one-third of the German, Swedish, and Polish population ​ Ended with the Treaty of Westphalia signed in 1648, declaring a balance of power Consequences of New Religious Warfare ​ The Thirty Years’ War transformed war making in Europe ○​ Enhanced the powers of larger, centralized states with large armies and large campaigns ○​ Armies also paid mercenaries and criminals ○​ Army boasted a professional officer crops based on merit ○​ Gunpowder, cannons, and handguns became more standardized and efficient ○​ War cost more: both material and human ​ Long-term ○​ Identification w faith & language ○​ Propel process of state building and emerging nationals identities within Europe ○​ New rivalries for wealth, territory, language & religion ○​ Rivalries based on language & way people worship