Ch 22: The Protestant Reformation in Europe & Worldwide
About This Chapter
The Protestant Reformation in Europe & Worldwide - Chapter Summary
In these lessons, our instructors will review the practices of the Catholic Church that spurred the Reformation, and explore Martin Luther's ideas for change. You will examine the work of Desiderius Erasmus, William Tyndale and John Calvin. Other lessons look at the religious wars that occurred during the Reformation period.
You'll learn about the Jews and Muslims in Spain. Life after the Reformation, how the Catholic Church changed and the spread of Christianity around the world are also discussed here. When you've finished these lessons, you should have an understanding of topics including:
- Catholic beliefs before the Reformation
- Martin Luther and the 95 Theses
- Religious reform in Germany and Switzerland
- Conflicts between the Catholics and Huguenots in France
- The Council of Trent
- How the Reformation changed society
- The Counter-Reformation in the Catholic Church
- Christian missionaries and their work
You can watch these short video lessons on a computer or mobile device whenever you have a few extra minutes. The multiple-choice quizzes that follow them let you check your learning. The jump feature in the lessons' timelines make it quick work to find a particular passage that you want to review.

1. The Catholic Church Before the Reformation: Beliefs and Practices
In 1500 C.E. the Roman Catholic Church was a very powerful institution in the West. Watch this video to learn how the Church maintained its power by teaching that salvation could only be earned by those who received the sacraments and performed good works.

2. Martin Luther, the 95 Theses and the Birth of the Protestant Reformation
This lesson covers the start of the Protestant Reformation. It begins by comparing the vast array and peacefulness of Christian denominations in modern days to the limited choices and violence of the past. Then it goes into the story of Martin Luther, from his 95 Theses through the Diet of Worms up to the beginning of the German Peasant Revolt.

3. Desiderius Erasmus: Theological, Political & Economic Ideas
In this lesson, we will learn about Desiderius Erasmus. We will explore who he was as a person, and we will highlight his major theological and intellectual contributions.

4. William Tyndale: Theological, Political & Economic Ideas
In this lesson, we will take a look at the life of William Tyndale. We will examine his ideas and contributions, and learn why he was an important figure in history.

5. Religious Reform in Switzerland: Calvin & Zwingli's Teachings in the Reformation
The Protestant Reformation resulted in many people splitting from the Catholic Church. This lesson explores the effect of the Reformation in Switzerland under the leadership of Zwingli and Calvin.

6. The Reformation's Impact on Germany: The Peasant Wars
The Reformation was a time when Christianity was split into Catholicism and Protestantism. This lesson explores the major changes brought about by the Reformation in Germany in the 16th century.

7. The French Wars of Religion: Catholics vs. the Huguenots
The Protestant Reformation was so popular and controversial in Europe that it sometimes led to war. This lesson explores the violent effect of the Reformation in France as war erupted between the Catholics and the Protestants.

8. Catholics vs. Protestants in Europe and the New World
In this lesson, we will learn about how Catholicism and Protestantism influenced various regions of Europe and the New World. We will identify locations where Catholicism thrived, and those where Protestantism thrived, in addition to highlighting important themes.

9. The Council of Trent: The Catholic Church Survives the Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a movement of Christians who disagreed with some of the teachings and actions of the Catholic Church. This article explores the effect of the Reformation on the Church.

10. Life After the Reformation & Protestant Influence on Society
The Protestant Reformation was a huge movement that led to many Christians splitting from the Catholic Church. This lesson explores the after effects on families, education and social life.

11. The Reformers & the Catholic Church: How Religious Beliefs Transformed During the Reformation
The Protestant Reformation and Counter-Reformation challenged the beliefs of the Catholic Church. This lesson explores some of the differing beliefs among Protestant and Catholic reformers.

12. The Counter-Reformation: How the Catholic Church Revived
In this lesson, we will learn about the Counter-Reformation. We will learn how the Catholic Church responded to the Protestant Reformation, and we will explore the major themes involved.

13. Missionaries & the Spread of Christianity Across the World
In this lesson we will learn about missionary activity and the spread of Christianity during the late Medieval and early Modern Era. We will highlight key themes, and we will identify locations of missionary work.

14. Jews & Muslims in Medieval Spain
In this lesson, we will examine Jewish-Muslim dynamics in Medieval Spain. Specifically, we will learn about the Golden Age of Cooperation between these two groups, and we will identify key themes and events.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the AEPA History (NT302): Practice & Study Guide course
- Historical Concepts & Research
- Understanding Historical Resources
- Events & Contributions of Early Civilizations
- Ancient Near East Civilizations
- The Bronze Age in the Near East
- Ancient Africa & the Americas
- Dynasties & Confucianism in Ancient China
- Culture & Beliefs of Ancient India
- Contributions & History of Ancient Greece
- Hellenism & Athens
- The Roman Republic Rises
- History of the Fall of Rome
- History of Early Christianity
- The Byzantine Empire & Culture
- The Origins of Islam
- Contributions of Medieval European Politics
- The Crusades & Church Reform in Medieval Europe
- The Hundred Years' War
- Asia in the Middle & Late Middle Ages
- Africa & the Americas in the Middle & Late Middle Ages
- History of the Renaissance
- The Age of European Exploration & Discovery
- History of the Elizabethan Era
- Colonialism in Europe, Africa & the New World
- Major Figures & Events of the Scientific Revolution
- The Enlightenment
- Asia & Africa in the 15th-18th Centuries
- Political & Technological World Developments (1750-1914)
- European & Japanese Imperialism
- Battles & Consequences of World War I
- Causes & Events of World War II
- Civilizations of the Americas Before & After Colonization
- Colonial Settlements & Battles in North America (1497-1732)
- Events Leading to the American Revolution (1700-1774)
- Events & Leaders of the American Revolution
- The Birth of the United States (1776-1800)
- The Virginia Dynasty
- Jacksonian Democracy
- Everyday Life in Antebellum America
- Manifest Destiny & American Expansion
- Sectional Crisis & the Start of the Civil War (1850-1861)
- Battles & Effects of the American Civil War (1861-1865)
- American Reconstruction & the Gilded Age (1865-1877)
- American Industrialization & Urbanization (1870-1900)
- Figures & Events of the Progressive Era (1900-1917)
- American Imperialism & World War I
- American Life & Culture During the Roaring 20s (1920-1929)
- The Great Depression in the U.S. (1929-1940)
- American Involvement in World War ll (1941-1945)
- World Events & Politics After World War II (1946-1959)
- Events & Presidents During the Cold War (1950-1973)
- American Civil Disobedience, Protests & Activism (1954-1973)
- America in the 1970s
- America in the 1980s
- Politics & Major Figures of Contemporary America (1992-2013)
- AEPA History Flashcards