Villalobos  World History  2008‐2009 

Study Guide: The Reformation (1517‐1648) Unit 

I. Test Format: The test format will be objective (multiple choice), identifications, and essay. For the identifications, begin
with a brief identification and/or definition and include significance of item, which contains an explanation of why the item
is important. For essay, begin with thesis statement, which includes main argument.
II. Topics:
1. Be able to describe the status and character of the Catholic Church just prior to the outbreak of the Reformation, and
show how such things contributed to the breakup of Christianity.
2. Outline the major points of contention between Martin Luther and the Church, and show why they did not find a way
to compromise and avoid schism.
3. Discuss the various forms Protestantism took and how these groups became dominant in various parts of Europe.
4. Examine the political, social and economic impact of the Reformation and Protestantism on the continent of Europe.
5. Describe the Catholic Reformation; show how it responded to Protestant criticism, and how it created the modern
Catholic Church.
6. Discuss important religion-based wars and political developments in Europe during the sixteenth century.

7. Reformation: Religious movement beginning in 1517, which at first sought to reform the Catholic Church. One short-
term cause was Martin Luther and his 95 Theses, which criticized the Church’s practice of indulgence. In addition,
there was widespread corruption in the Church including; pope’s authority, the practice nepotism, the selling off
Church offices, biblical interpretation, the meaning of salvation, false doctrines, rituals and use of inquisition. It would
develop into the Protestant Reformation as “reformed” churches developed and Western Christianity would be split
into Catholicism and several Protestant denominations. The first “church” established was the Lutheran Church
followed by the Reformed/Presbyterian/Calvinist churches. The unofficial end to the Reformation was with the Peace
of Westphalia in 1648. The Reformation has lasting social, economic, and political effects.
III. Read and Review Critical Questions handout and copy of essay outlines
IV. Read and Review handout on Protestant denominations
V. Possible Identifications:

Protestant Martin Luther Peace of Augsburg

John Calvin Huguenot John Knox
Indulgence Recant Predestination
King Henry VIII Theocracy Reformation
Christian Humanists Peasant Revolt Justification of Faith
Ulrich Zwingli Disputation Anabaptists
Act of Supremacy Church of England Council of Trent
Book of Common Prayer Inquisition Ignatius of Loyola

VI. Possible Essays Questions:

a. What were the most important precursors to the Protestant Reformation?
b. What charges did reformers level against the Catholic Church in the early sixteenth century?
c. How do you account for the spread of the Reformation?
d. How did the Catholic Church respond to the Reformation?
e. How and why did the English Reformation develop?