The Protestant Reformation

Master the Protestant Reformation with our history worksheet! Learn about Luther, Henry VIII, and key events.

1. What was Martin Luther's main complaint against the Catholic Church?2. Who is Henry VIII? Why is he important to the Protestant Reformation? Around 1500, during the Renaissance, there was a movement to reform the Catholic Church. This period in time is referred to as the Reformation. Many people criticized the practices of the Church. There were many conflicts that challenged the authority of the Church in Rome. For one, German and English nobles did not like the Italian control of the Church and its followers. Also, may people felt that the Church leaders were too interested in gaining wealth and political power. There were also many corrupt practices in the Church. For example, one church friar was raising money by selling indulgences, or pardons, to forgive people for their sins. Some people basically believed that they could live as they choose and still buy their way into heaven.This wasn't the first time the Church had been criticized. In fact, even in the 1300s the Church had been challenged by Englishman John Wycliffe, who felt that Jesus, and not the pope, was the true head of the Church. He believed that church leaders should have no land or wealth. In the 1400s, Jan Hus, a professor in Bohemia, taught that the authority of the Bible was greater than the authority of the pope.In the 1500s, a monk in Germany named Martin Luther took a stand against the Church. He was very troubled by the selling of indulgences. He felt that people got into heaven by their faith and actions, not with their wealth, and that all humans - rich and poor - were equalbefore God. He also felt that the Bible was the ultimate authority. On October 31, 1517, he posted his 95 Theses (or formal statements against the Church) on the door of a church and invited others to debate him. He wanted a full reformation of the Church. His actions protesting the Catholic Church led to the beginning of the Protestant Church.King Henry VIII of England helped to spread Protestant views. The king disagreed with the authority of the pope in Rome. He had been a loyal Catholic, but when he wanted a divorce to marry a younger woman, the Catholic Church would not allow it. Henry broke ties with the Catholic Church and became a Protestant. He declared it the religion of England and himself the leader. After Henry's death, when the throne changed hands to his daughter Mary, the Catholic religion was restored in England.When Henry's daughter Elizabeth I took the throne of England, she insured that the her kingdom was Protestant. In 1559, English Parliament followed her wishes and set up the Protestant Church of England with her at the head. Even though England was Protestant, Elizabeth was tolerant of Catholics and tried to keep many of the Catholic practices. She had the 39 Articles written, which outlined the practices of the Church of England.Another leader of the Reformation was John Calvin. His teachings came to be called Calvinism. In 1536, he wrote the book Institutes of the Christian Religion which was asummary of Protestant teachings. Calvin also believed in predestination - that God chooses a very few people to save and that He has known since the beginning of time who to save. His teaching helped to expand the Protestant movement. Match each idea with the Reformation leader. Martin Luther All people are equal before God. John Calvin Your fate is determined by predestination. King Henry VIII Divorce should be allowed by the Church. Elizabeth I Practices of both the Catholic and Protestant churches could be blended. John Wycliffe Church leaders should have no land or wealth. Jan Hus The Bible is the ultimate authority. How did the Renaissance help to lead to the Reformation? Explain. How did Martin Luther and Henry VIII differ in their motivations for challenging the Catholic Church? Sort the views and actions into the correct Reformation leader group. John Calvin Believed in predestination - the idea that God has already chosen those who He wants to save. Wrote Institutes of the Christian Religion. Martin Luther Believed that you could reach heaven through your faith and actions, and not with your wealth. Wrote the 95 Theses. Started the birth of the Protestant Church. Henry VIII Challenged the authority of the Pope about divorce. Broke England's ties to the Catholic Church. Elizabeth I Restored the Protestant Church in England. Tolerated some practices of the Catholic Church in England. Had the 39 Articles written to outline the teachings of the Protestant Church of England. Exit Ticket: How did the Reformation impact the exploration of North America?