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What was one of the powerful movements that transformed European society during the early modern era? Between the 16th and 17th centuries.
Reformation
Protestantism
Renaissance
Look up those terms and read and study.
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One of the powerful movements that transformed European society during the early modern era, specifically between the 16th and 17th centuries, was the Protestant Reformation. To understand this movement, you can follow these steps:
1. Understand the Context: In the early 16th century, Western Europe was predominantly Catholic, with the Roman Catholic Church playing a dominant role in religious and political affairs.
2. Martin Luther and His Teachings: Martin Luther, a German monk, became disillusioned with certain practices and doctrines of the Catholic Church. He famously posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg in 1517, criticizing the sale of indulgences and questioning the authority of the Pope.
3. Spread of Protestant Ideas: Luther's ideas quickly gained support and spread throughout Europe due to the invention of the printing press, which allowed for the rapid dissemination of his writings and translations of the Bible into vernacular languages.
4. Protestant Movements: Luther's actions sparked various Protestant movements across Europe, challenging the authority and practices of the Catholic Church. Notable figures such as John Calvin in Switzerland and Henry VIII in England also contributed to the development of Protestantism.
5. Religious Conflicts and Wars: The Reformation era was marked by religious conflicts and wars between Catholic and Protestant forces, such as the German Peasants' War, the French Wars of Religion, and the Eighty Years' War in the Netherlands.
6. Impact on European Society: The Protestant Reformation had far-reaching consequences for European society. It led to the fragmentation of Christianity, as different Protestant denominations formed across Europe. The authority of the Catholic Church declined, and new religious and political institutions emerged during this period.
Overall, the Protestant Reformation was a powerful movement that challenged the religious, social, and political structures of European society, laying the groundwork for significant changes in the centuries to come.