WORLD History Mr.

Kassube Room #5

World History – The Protestant Reformation

By the 10th century, the Roman Catholic Church had come to dominate religious life in Northern
and Western Europe. However, the church had not won universal approval. Over the centuries,
many people criticized its practices. They felt church leaders were too interested in worldly
pursuits, such as gaining wealth and political power. Even though the church made some reforms
during the Middle Ages, people continued to criticize it. Prompted by the actions of one man,
that criticism would lead to a rebellion. Use the information from the textbook, class discussion
and video to assist you in answering the following questions.

1. Johann Gutenberg was a craftsman and is responsible for a revolutionary creation.

Explain what this was, what it did and its importance on history

2. What practices of the Catholic Church in the 1500s upset and/or disturbed ordinary
churchgoers?

3. Why did German rulers want to challenge the political power of the church?

4. There were many causes for the reformation that pertained to the social, political,
economic and religious reasonings. Select ONE you feel was the most important and
support your response with evidence

5. Would Pope Alexander VI (6th) be considered a solution to the problems of the church or
someone who was part of the problems of the church? Support your answer with facts

6. What role did many priests and monks play with the problems of the Catholic Church?

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WORLD History Mr. Kassube Room #5

7. What was the Reformation?

8. What were indulgences? Do you feel these helped or hurt the church (explain)

9. Create a single-cell comic strip that highlights Martin Luther and his role in the
reformation. Make sure to include a brief description of your image
*This question is worth 4 points

10. What were the (three) main points of Martin Luther’s teachings?

11. What in Luther’s teachings inspired the peasants to revolt?

12. Why do you think Charles V (5th) could not force the Protestant princes back into the
Catholic Church ever after defeating them in war?

13. Pope Leo X (10th) issued a decree threatening Martin Luther with excommunication.
What does this mean and what happened regarding this threat to Luther?

14. What is Protestantism and how did it begin?

15. Look at the chart on page 57. Which of the branches on the chart are most different and
which are most similar?

16. King Henry VIII (8th) of England was a devout Catholic, but when his wife could not
produce an heir to the throne, he sought to divorce her. This led what to happen?

17. Who was Elizabeth I and what did she establish?

18. What do you feel are some of Elizabeth’s strengths as a ruler? Support your response
with evidence

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