Unit 2 Content
Mckay Textbook Reformation/Age of Religious Wars
Unit 2 Planner
Unit 2 Notes
Unit 2 PPTs
Unit 2 Terms To Know
Unit 2 Essay Questions
Unit 2 Study Guide
Protestant vs. Catholic Chart
Documents:
Document Packet #1 (Document)
Document Packet #2, 3 & 4 (Document)
The Edict of Nantes (Document)
A Protestant Woman Argues for Tolerance (Document)
The German Peasant's Revolt: The Twelve Articles (Document)
The Protestant Work Ethic (Max Weber)
Wars of Religion Primary Source Activity
Summaries:
Reformation
Religious Wars
The Tudors PPT
Blog #2 (Due Sept. 30)
Assess the relative effect of the Protestant Reformation on one of the following: the nobility, the middle class, the peasantry or women. (Hint: All are social aspects) (Remember to respond to the question in 6-8 sentences (yes it can be longer) and to respond to two of your classmates answers in 4-6 sentences. Do not just agree or disagree without defending or justifying your argument.) Think above and beyond the common answers that you may see. Be sure to challenge your classmates with controversial tactics, actions or selections. Good Luck!!!! Go Mustangs!!!
Unit 2 Planner
Unit 2 Notes
Unit 2 PPTs
Unit 2 Terms To Know
Unit 2 Essay Questions
Unit 2 Study Guide
Protestant vs. Catholic Chart
Documents:
Document Packet #1 (Document)
Document Packet #2, 3 & 4 (Document)
The Edict of Nantes (Document)
A Protestant Woman Argues for Tolerance (Document)
The German Peasant's Revolt: The Twelve Articles (Document)
The Protestant Work Ethic (Max Weber)
Wars of Religion Primary Source Activity
Summaries:
Reformation
Religious Wars
The Tudors PPT
Blog #2 (Due Sept. 30)
Assess the relative effect of the Protestant Reformation on one of the following: the nobility, the middle class, the peasantry or women. (Hint: All are social aspects) (Remember to respond to the question in 6-8 sentences (yes it can be longer) and to respond to two of your classmates answers in 4-6 sentences. Do not just agree or disagree without defending or justifying your argument.) Think above and beyond the common answers that you may see. Be sure to challenge your classmates with controversial tactics, actions or selections. Good Luck!!!! Go Mustangs!!!
182 comments:
The Protestant Reformation was the rebel of the people from the catholic church due to its corruption. This reform not only effected the nobility and middle class but also the peasantry and women. During the reform the nobilty gained a large amount of secualr power. The church lost the peoples trust and power, giving it to the nobility. Martin Luthers 95 theses influenced the change in power. At the same time the middle class took hold of this freedom and used it to make their lives more culturally significant. They were finally able to choose their religion and education. The bible was translated into new languages and people had more freedom in what literature was availble to them, this brought up the litteracy rate. The peasantry was also influenced by the reform. Many of the peasants jumped on the lutheran band wangon and saw this new freedom as a chance to revolt. This revolt killed many peasants and caused Martin Luther to reject them for being un-christian like. Lastly the women also saw effects of the reformation. They could now divorce and remarry as the pleased. Although women had no say in the church, this time period allowed for them to get futher education. The education brought them up in society yet males still had the dominate role. The reformation had many social effects regarding the nobilty, middle class, peasantry, and women.
Certain middle class members, such as Martin Luther, recognized the corruption in the church. He expressed his views and opinions through posting his 95 theses and letting the lies be known to other people. When they started to realize and take into consideration the fact that he may be right the Protestant Reformation began. It was not only Martin Luther that caused this change to happen; many others agreed with him and were searching for some big changes in the church. The fact that people were finally starting to speak their minds caused other people to change their perspective or even completely follow other religions. The middle class had a huge effect on the Protestant Reformation.
Valerie Kwee
The Protestant Reformation made a significant impact on the laity in Germany and the places it had spread to. However, depending on social class, the Reformation affected specific social classes on different levels and in different ways. For instance, although nobles began to compete for power with the church, peasants began to rebel against upper classes for freedom. Due to the mistreatment of peasants during this time, the lower classes became greatly unhappy with those above them. The confiscation of personal items, unreasonable taxation, and mistreatment as a whole caused peasants to feel as though they were treated like slaves, if not worse. When Lutheran ideas began to spread among the laity, theories such as the "priesthood of all believers" and the translation of the Bible to the vernacular caused lower class peasants to feel as though they were equal to even the highest authorities. The idea that all humans are equal under the eyes of God justified the peasants' revolt against those suppressing them. They felt that through violence alone would they be able to gain the rights they were endowed according to the Bible. Overall, the Reformation inspired peasants to take action in order to gain equal rights, whereas other social classes were inspired to expand their power or abilities within society. It is clear that the impact the Reformation made on a person greatly depended on the person's role within society, as their concerns differed with their background.
Chloe,
Although you are correct when you say that Martin Luther recognized church corruption, I personally don't believe that the Protestant Reformation began as an effect of his actions. This is because many philosophers prior to Luther's time had already questioned the church. People such as Erasmus, John Wycliffe, and John Huss planted "seeds" that eventually led to the event in which Protestantism became widespread within Europe. Also, it may not have necessarily been that "the fact that people were finally starting to speak their minds caused other people to change their perspective or even completely follow other religions," as it seemed to have been more of the revealing of corruption of the church that impacted laity more in contrast to the simple sharing of beliefs.
-Valerie Kwee
I must say I am very impressed that you guys knocked 1/3 of your task already. Great job on getting this started. Lets see if the flood gates have now opened. Remember just answer the question no need to give us background on anything except for the question
The nobility, the middle class, the peasantry and women were all effected greatly due to the Protestant reformation. I believe that the middle class contributed the most. Martin Luther was influenced by Erasmus, John Wycliffe, and John Huss's teachings. Like we talked about in class they planted the seed. Martin was bold enough to post the 95 theses on the door of the church, and with the help of the printing press it was copied quickly and translated into German for all to read. This made people question the church, and Peasants were starting to rebel against the upper classes, and nobles gained more power. Clearly all of the social levels were effected by the Protestant Reformation.
The Protestant Reformation had a strong impact on all of its social classes at the time. Although peasants were illiterate and they could not read the Bible, they still had their beliefs. Many historical figures had a great impact on the reformation. It is said that Luther's posting of the 95 theses marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. His controversial decision to post the theses caused peasants to revolt against their leaders. Since he opposed violence, Martin Luther then encouraged the leaders to put a stop to the revolts. The leaders then killed the peasants. Therefore I believe that peasants were greatly affected by this movement. It is quite obvious that all social classes were greatly influenced during the Protestant Reformation, but the peasants stuck out to me the most.
As the Protestant Reformation continued to grow and progress in the 16th century, the peasants were experiencing oppression and mistreatment by the nobility. This relates the Protestant Reformation to the peasantry in several ways. First, the Catholic Church began to weaken due to the Great Schism, Conciliar Movement, and the Babylonian Captivity. The church was also losing credibility and followers due to the Protestant Reformation. As Martin Luther's ideas spread throughout Europe and the public became aware of the corruption and hypocrisy of the church, the Catholic Church struggled to gain back their former glory. In response to this, the nobility took advantage of the church's weakening by attempting to gain more power, land, and money. As a result, the peasants were greatly oppressed. The feudal lords increased the taxation on peasants, restricted their personal, confiscated properties, and overrode their traditions and basically their way of life. These acts of oppression by the nobles and lords compelled peasants to protest, and eventually revolt. Also, due to the reformation, many peasants also became Lutherans and, seeing that Luther's teachings and ideals was close to their own, believed Luther to be an ally. During the peasants' revolt in 1523, the peasants invoked Luther's name, but received a different response. Martin Luther declared them as "un-Christian" and pushed for the revolt to be crushed. The results of this peasants' revolt proved that Luther's path to church reform was strictly religious, not political.
*peasants' revolt in 1524
Due to the religious nature of the Protestant Reformation, all social classes of Europe we're affected greatly because of the strong religious foundation at the time. Having little to no money, the peasant class of Europe relied heavily on their faith, and when their faith began to be tested it made the people of this class feel betrayed, lied to, or even cheated. In addition, the fact the a large majority of the peasant class was illiterate and uneducated adding to the confusion and uncertainty. Women on the other hand were again, oppressed. The little rights they had left were slowly snatched from under them and were seen more as ornaments rather than actual people. Only being used to create and heir to the family name rather than be a productive members of society. The middle class of Europe, such as merchants and such, we're affected in a positive. Merchants lined the streets selling religious relics to the people purchasing indulgences finding more ways to create a profit. Likewise because of the weakened authority of the once all powerful church, the noble class of Europe were able to sit pretty through most of the Reformation. For the few that held church offices because of simony, nepotism, or some other asinine tactic to hold a position, they suffered but not nearly enough to even refer to a suffering. Comparing all the main social classes above, it would be illogical to state that not a certain class was affected because all of the classes were affected in a negative or positive way.
Amanda,
I agree with your views on the middle class being a major part of the Protestant Reformation. Also, you were right in bringing up the fact that all the classes were effected by the reformation as well. It really emphasizes that the reformation was a huge thing that effected a ton of people. You also mentioned the other people that were involved and that supported Martin Luther. Overall, I definitely agree with the facts that you stated.
Katrina,
You brought up some really great points and facts in your statement. Peasants did get majorly affected during the Protestant Reformation. Most of the social classes did which is something that you brought up. Also, you talked about the revolt which is an important factor that took place as well. I liked the points that you made and they helped me get a better understanding on the Reformation's effects on different types of people and social classes.
When Martin Luther posted his 95 thesis on the Wittenburg church door it marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. The 95 thesis was about all the corruption in the church, for example the selling of indulgences. Everyone in all classes were greatly affected. The nobility gained more power because the church started losing its own power, but the middle class were also looking for more political and religious freedom threatening the nobility's power. The revolt caused many people to speak up for their rights and express their own views of the church leading to more new religions. Martin Luther might have started the Lutheran religion, but he didn't want this to happen. Because of this many peasants started converting to other religions seeking for more freedom. The Protestant Reformation made a great impact not only in the Holy Roman Empire, but the whole western civilization because it changed everyone's perspective of the church and what they were taught to believe in their whole lives.
The Protestant Reformation greatly affected all social classes in the 1500's. The class that I think is most affected is the nobility. The nobility were affected, because the Holy Roman Empire prince's gained mass power as the catholic church was weakened by the decrease of trust and reliability.The nobility were also affected as they had to deal with the middle class gaining more power and threatening theirs. As well they had to decide which religion to choose. The Reformation also affected nobile women as now they can divorce and remarry numerous times without having to deal with the church. these are the affects of the Protestant Reformation on the nobility.
Julienne,
Although I do agree with your statement that the middle class had begun to look for more political and religious freedom, the revolt you had mentioned was led by peasants. In my opinion, I feel that new religions were a result of religious thinkers that wanted to expand their beliefs and give more freedom to laity in consideration to their relationship to God. Also, I don't think that peasants had begun to convert to other religions as the revolt was led by already Lutheran peasants. However, you are very correct in your statement "The Protestant Reformation made a great impact not only in the Holy Roman Empire, but the whole western civilization because it changed everyone's perspective of the church and what they were taught to believe in their whole lives."
Even though it seems as if women did not contribute to the event of the Reformation, it did ultimately have an effect on them. Even throughout the Reformation, there were still beliefs that a woman should remain subordinate to their husbands. The main role of women were to live complete domestic lives, maintaining the house. Additionally, in several Protestant states, convents were closed forcing the women into a more secular life. Fortunately it allowed for women to study the bible themselves and express their own interpretations. However, the Reformation did not leave women with a totally wretched life. Protestants such as Philip Melancthon pushed the idea for more women to be educated. Though it was not always practiced, Luther's beliefs of a more companionate marriages opened the gates for a new look on marriage. The Protestant Reformation as a whole effect women in negative and positive ways.
I believe the most effected class by the Protestant Reformation is the middle class. They also contributed the most, and stirred the pot the most. Martin Luther had made his 95 theses, which criticized indulgences and the Catholic church based on Erasmus, John Huss, and John Wycliffe’s teachings. Luther may not have been influenced enough to have the posted the theses if it weren’t for the earlier criticism. After Martin Luther posted his 95 theses, the printing press made copies and sent them around Europe which lead to others agreeing and going against the church, peasants rebelling, and the power of the nobles changing. The middle class had an important effect on the Protestant Reformation.
The Protestant Reformation was the rebel of the people from the catholic church due to the selling of indulgences. The nobles' decline meant other social classes could rise in power and status. Peasants benefited because they had bought their freedom and many even owned their land. The greater incentive provided by working for themselves rather than their lords led to greater agricultural production and the revival of Europe's population. The middle class benefited by making money from the nobles, either through loans with interest or selling them goods for a profit. However wealthy nobles may have been, it seemed that a lot of their money was ending up in the hands of middle class merchants. The middle class was also assuming a larger role in the governments of the emerging national monarchies in Western Europe. Kings also benefited since the nobles had been the main obstacles to building strong nation-states.
Every social class during this time period have been effected by the Protestant Reformation in some way. However, the nobles are one of these classes that have been greatly effected by the reformation. The Protestant Reformation effected the nobles in both a positive and negative way. One positive effect it had on them is that since the reformation weakened the Church's authority, this allowed the nobles to gain more power. With the Church's power weakened, nobles may gain more control over local regions. A negative effect that the reformation had on the nobles is that their stand in society was threaten. This is because the reformation allowed higher education to the peasants, causing the peasants to have greater intellect. They came to become displeased with the way nobles were treating them and began to rebel against the nobles. The rise of peasants pressured nobles and were endangering their power. These are some ways that the Protestant Reformation had on one of the social classes during this time.
Bailey,
I agree with you on how the people received more freedom, and could choose their own destiny's. After the Protestant reformation, many people began to think that it was okay to rebel and do whatever they pleased which became the norm of the time period. However I disagree with the fact that women could marry and divorce now as pleased because in the time period people certain people still frowned upon divorce. So even if the women wanted a divorce most of them would not chose too because they wanted to avoid the social out casting that would come.
With the Protestant Reformation causing a lot of problems for the higher class people I believe low class people weren't affected as much. Low class people just wanted to live day by day. Sure they wanted indulgences, but they obviously couldn't afford them. Until the peasant revolt broke out and Martin Luther kind of just turned on them disapproving of a revolt and a lot of peasants died that day. Though peasants were illiterate so they couldn't read the bible. They did have their beliefs and prayers, but they could never fully understand the bible. Their political stance was just anything that would help them out since they weren't educated so they didn't know any better. As an economical stance peasants didn't have money to afford it anyway so without money indulgences weren't irrelevant to them. The only thing that really changed about the peasants was them dying for revolting. Other than that nothing else changed.
@Baileyrachelle
Pretty sure it only said 1 social class...
Anyway.. Comparing it from a political scene the higher class people had a bigger problem. The peasants kind of just stood on the sidelines waiting for the right moment that they thought they had a chance, but ended up they didn't and just ended up killing themselves. So that's away from the political situation. Politically the higher class people had more problems with indulgences and the church and so on so forth. Where as the peasants didn't have a big problem till they decided to kill themselves.
@Katrina
I totally agree.
Though something off topic on this subject, but it is related to this. I feel like when everyone post they post straight out facts? I think it's just the slight adjustments if they believe how much it is impacted on each section. You can't really dispute anything they say since most people put straight facts. Which isn't bad though I feel like the topic can be on a different question. Such as "What do you think about Martin Luther's decision to stop the peasants?" That will create a larger debate since some people will think he did the right thing yet again he did the wrong thing. You can't really dispute facts, because they are facts. If you agree you can just add on to what they say, but you can't justify it as much as if you asked a question on "what do you think...". That will create a much more interesting debate than "Assess the relative effect..." since people just post facts.
TL;DR the question to answer or "assess" is to heavily based on facts so you can only justify very limited things. Everyone will post the same facts, but maybe their views on effectiveness will change. Though most people have the same opinion since it's pretty clear what side to take. I want a more controversial question so an actual debate would happen. Since it does say "Do not just agree or disagree without defending or justifying your argument." It's hard to do that when the topic/question is based highly off facts.
"Erasmus laid the egg that Luther hatched," a quote which means that Erasmus had the idea, however Luther took action. Although, Luther did not technically begin the Protestant Reformation, he did take action. He had expressed his thoughts on the Church's hypocrisy when he had posted the 95 theses, similar to when Erasmus had written "Praise of Folly." Many nobles appreciated Luther's speaking out because he made the Church lose power which would restore back to the nobles. So if people had begun rebelling against the church, as Luther had, then the clergy would begin losing power. Once the clergy's power reduced the nobles' power would rise significantly.
Amanda,
I agree that nobility, middle class, peasantry and women were greatly effected by the Protestant Reformation. Although your comment does now explain how or why they were effected. Your comment only explains that Luther was outspoken and had posted the 95 theses, which had traveled quickly due to the printing press, which is true however the rate news traveled in the past had no relevance toward the effect, it was more of the cause towards why the Protestant Reformation began.
Justin,
I disagree, Yes Peasants were of the lower class so why should they care about the Protestant Reformation? I believe they were effected plenty because at the time peasants had only cared about working, and religion. As you stated before they do want to get into heaven, and in the past when you wanted to get into heaven you need to be committed to a religion not just say, "I'm a Christian, let me in God." Otherwise if they had not played a large part in the Protestant Reformation, why would they participate in the Peasants revolt?
The Reformation provided a sense of enlightenment and empowerment to the peasants, who were oppressed by the higher social classes. An increased literacy rate and diffusion of distinct ideas resulted from the invention of the printing press. The translations of the Bible into vernaculars allowed the peasants to practice faith directly through the Bible, thus weakening the authority of the church over them. Peasants were also influenced and inspired by the teachings of renowned reformers such as Martin Luther. However, once they began to partake in revolts, Luther deemed their actions "un-Christian" and refused to associate with the revolts, which may have denigrated their title to an even lower level of respect. Nonetheless, Individuals in the clergy and upper classes were greatly intimidated by the expanding literacy and sense of individuality the peasants began to display. They were able to make their presence known through the revolutionary components of the Protestant Reformation.
@Justin,
On the contrary, I do believe peasants were greatly affected by the Reformation. Peasants were able to purchase indulgences from the church, and they were exploited in this way. Also, although many peasants were illiterate, it is still unjustified to stereotype them all as that. Peasants, through the Reformation, were able to understand the Bible as it was translated into languages they could comprehend.
Susiegorawrs,
I agree entirely with your statement. The utilization of the quote was relevant in manner, I must say! However, you seemed to omit the discussion of the negative effects of the Protestant Reformation towards the nobility. As the nobles gained some power from the weakening of the church, they also felt threatened by the expansion of knowledge that gave lower classes a variety of opportunities. Also, you seemed to excessively dwell on background information... but other than that I believe it was very well-written!
you guys are on fire...I'm loving this dialogue keep it up..
The Protestant Reformation significantly impacted each social aspect in different ways. For example I believe the Reformation portrayed an optimistic and pessimistic impact on women during the 16th century. For the most part a women’s main focus was their marriage acting as their main career. Restricted in their actions, they eventually gained certain rights such as the ability to divorce. On a bad note however, even though they had the ability to divorce they stayed away from it in order to keep away from social outcast. Moreover, lots of women overtime lost rights in terms of being in charge of their owned properties and not being able to use their names in legal transactions. Men such as Martin Luther and Philip Melancthon aided a positive effect for women during the Reformation. Martin Luther supported his view that more marriages should be based off of love and compassion towards one another, benefiting women because it opened a pathway for some to possibly enjoy their marriage and the one they were married to. Philip Melancthon also played a vital role for women in his ideas that women should have an education, and built schools for girls to do so. Overall, the Protestant Reformation effected women both supportively and negatively.
Chloe,
As you do point out a few key points, you did not necessarily go into depth. You seemed to explain more about Martin Luther then how the Protestant Reformation impacted the middle class as a whole. It would have been more efficient if you explained more about how the middle class was affected maybe in a positive and negative way. Another side note is Martin Luther’s actions I would say did not specifically spark the Reformation.
Justin,
I disagree with your belief that the Protestant Reformation did not affect the lower class. Peasants’ main focus was religion and working. They understood in order to get into Heaven they had to be faithful to a religion. Also it was possible for peasants to purchase indulgences especially since some people were sent to offer indulgences through over-simplified examples and slogans, in order to persuade them to make a donation. The lower class many have been illiterate, but the bible was translated into languages they could understand.
Boston, I agree with your statement that the middle class were greatly impacted. Martin Luthers 95 theses changed the way they saw religion. They took this break from the church and used it to they advantage. With their education and new knowledge of the church they had new opportunites in the field of religion.i liked the point that you brought up on the middle class because the are a simpler way of viewing the facts.
- Bailey
katrina,
You make a good point. the peasants were so moved by the theses that they tried to revolt. Eventhough this caused Luther to reject they did it in the name of the 95 theses. This uproar in the peasant community would have changed lifes. some even risked and lost their lifes for this cause, and that is why i see your evidence to be true. -Bailey
Klarissa,
I strongly agree with you that there was a change in women's lives during the Protestant Reformation. they were granted rights, but were still forbidden on some things. Because of Luther marriages were more based on love rather than a contract and they were able to divorce. I think that during this time women were able to find a way to get there voices out even though it wasn't a big of an impact.
Susiegorawrs,
I agree with with your comment saying that once people rebel like Luther did the clergy would lose its power and be given to the nobles. Although the middle class and the peasants were also greatly affected. For example they seek more religious and political freedom so some middle class people can rise up and take some of the nobility's power. And I also agree with your statement about Erasmus' humanistic view making a big impact in the reformation.
@Tanner,
I agree with your reasoning on why the nobles were effected from the Protestant Reformation. However, I believe you can elaborate more. For example, when you say that the middle class was gaining power, how were they exactly gaining power? They were gaining power because as things such as the translate of the bible began to occur, more people began to have a higher level of thinking and questioned the Church. Things such as this could have been explained more. Other then that, good job.
During the Protestant Reformation, all social classes were affected whether they were nobles, middle class, or peasants. Nobles sought to take advantage of the church's situation during this time period and tried to gain more power. Middle class men also gained new privileges such as now being able to choose what religion they desired and being to able to get an education. One of the main factors that led to people seeing things in a different light was the translation of the bible in to the vernacular. More people began to realize that the church was corrupt which greatly angered the peasants. Due to the church's true colors being revealed, the peasants decided to act on this and revolted. Tired of mistreatment and oppression, they stood up for equal rights. In conclusion, the Reformation had a significant impact on all social classes but it varied on what type of social status one was labeled as.
@Kenneth
I agree with you on the fact that nobles were very much affected during this time period. However, I believe that the peasants may have been affected even more. They were able to take advantage of the Reformation and rebel. Although many of them were unsuccessful, I believe the peasants can be considered as one the earliest fighters for equal rights.
The Protestant Reformation was a time of realization and rebellion from the people in response to the church's false practices and corruption that had varying significant effects on the different social classes of that time period. The peasants were effected greatly by this movement as they were enlightened on how they were being taken advantage of by the church. The sale of indulgences made the poorness of the peasants even worse, as peasants looked up to the church and god as their salvation, giving up the little money they had away to the clergy for indulgences because they saw it as a way of buying their way into heaven. As a result of Martin Luther's arguments against the church, the peasants started to join in, thus starting the Peasant Revolts and causing them to stop buying indulgences, therefore weakening the church's power over them. The Peasant Revolts were crushed afterwards, resulting in the death of many peasants, conveying the great effect the Protestant Reformation had over the peasants.
The Protestant Reformation had an effect on all of the social classes including the nobility, the middle class, the peasantry and women. To many people there faith was all they had and when they saw people challenging and pulling away from the church then they started to question their faith too. This led people to finding different religions and breaking away from the church. People started to question the church and its teachings, they didn't trust in their teachings since they found out that what they were saying before wasn't always true. During this time the church lost a lot of followers and power because people started converting to different protestant religions. Erasmus laid the egg and Martin Luther hatched it and this led to the 95 theses and people to challenge the church as well. The Church didn't like it when the Bible was translated to the vernacular because then the people would realize that they translated the Bible to them wrong. Overall everyone was effected by the protestant reformation it was like a time for them to breakaway it was a time when the truth came out(their true thoughts about the church) and since some of them were illiterate Martin Luther wrote their thoughts on paper.
Bailey,
I agree with what you said that everyone was affected, it was a time when people started to do whatever they wanted. They realized that the church no longer had control over them since it lost so much power during the process of the Protestant Reformation. People felt like they now had freedom to follow whatever religion they wanted. It was like a chance for them to do whatever they wanted without being punished from the church.
Krystle,
i agree with what you said bu i don't think that it effected specific social classes i think that they were all effected by the Protestant Reformation. But, i do agree that all the classes started to go against each other for power. The church lost a lot of it's power so other people tried to get power over it. The Reformation had a great impact on everyone and it led to change and imrpovement between the different religions.
The Protestant Reformation greatly impacted the peasants and their desire to oppress the higher levels of the social class. The mistreatment of the peasants brought them to loathe the upper class and cause them to revolt. The peasants were the most heavily taxed of the social classes, yet they still bought the indulgences that the church sold, hoping that they would still be "relieved" from their sins. Martin Luther, a middle class member, saw and exploited the flaws of the church, expressed his viewpoints about indulgences, and even posted the 95 theses. The peasants soon then started what was known as the Peasant's Revolt, where the purchasing of indulgences stopped and greatly weakened the churches power over the lower class. With this being said, the peasants have greatly been affected by the Protestant Reformation.
Rosaline,
I agree with your statement that the Reformation affected all social classes, however Martin Luther did not simply write down their thoughts. Some people were illiterate, but the 95 theses were Martin Luther's own ideas and beliefs. Then after, people started to express the beliefs Luther had, in which they also believed. Also, I believe people didn't necessarily challenge the church, but they tried to reform and change it which came across as a challenge.
Brandon,
I agree that the peasants were greatly affected, however the Reformation didn't increase their want to oppress the upper class. The peasants did revolt against them, but under the influence of Luther, not that they wanted to oppress the upper class. After the Peasants' Revolt, indulgences were no longer bought. However, I believe that the church's loss of power did not directly affect the peasants.'
The Protestant Reformation made it easier for men to be free of unwanted wives. Women also no longer had the option of convents. Women were thought of to create and bear children. The Reformation led to a series of religious wars that culminated in the Thirty Years' War. Nobility became more powerful due to the corruption in the church. Middle class members were told that indulgences would send them to heaven and rid them of their "dirty deeds". Martin Luther, a middle class citizen noticed the true arogance of the matter and made a stand against the church and their ways. - Kaliyah M. (3rd period)
I agree with what Brandon ho when he says the Protestants reformation greatly impacted the peasants. The peasants are obsessed with trying to become a higher rank of the social class because they want wealth and more options. As the harsh treatment of peasants continued, they soon began to feel disgusted with the upper class which brought them to breakaway from or as they say rise against constituted authority. Martin Luther a man who was in the middle class posted the 95 thesis, which brought a lot of arguments in the church. The impact was devastating knowing the upper class could have done something to help but instead they made everything worse.
I agree with Leliah on Brandon's post.
The Reformation did higly affect the peasants, mainly fiancially. The peasant did NOT revolt. They were simply influenced by Martin Luther's actions and beliefs. The church underestimated the power Luther had on the people and the church began to lose sales of indulgeneces.
I agree with Leliah.
The females were effected by the Protestant Reformation. During this time females gain the power to explore more educational rights and views on the bible. Although, females were still unable to have freedom like the males they still had more perks than they did before. The Reformation added more benefits for the women of this time.
Many peasants were directly and indirectly affected by the protestant reformation. Many were illiterate and not very educated, so therefore were under the upper class and unable to have the right to opinion when concerning various church affairs and being able to voice their ideas. Since that many were hard laborers and sometimes unable to go to church, they had to resort to buying indulgences since that they believed that this was really the only way to attain salvation. So when the ideas of reform were voiced (not the first time, but when they were voiced by someone such as Martin Luther)they absorbed his ideas such as carrying out good deeds in order to achieve salvation and not needing to go through the church in order to have a relationship with God. Many of them followed his ideas and started calling themselves "Lutherins". It was not Luther's intention to basically create a new branch of Christianity, but only to inform the church of its flaws and hope that it would help to modify it.
Bailey
I agree with your statements, however I dont understand how by the bible being translated to the vernacular increases the literacy rate. It could be said that the people were more free to interpret the writings of the bible for themselves without the biased words of whoever was translating it for them before considering how it was now in their mother tongue instead of having to listen to a priest preach about it in Latin. It is basically saying that peasants knew how to speak in German, but were unable to read and write. Just because the bible was now written in German doesn't change the fact that they are still illiterate.
Rosaline
I agree with your basic idea, however I question your statement, "To many people there faith was all they had and when they saw people challenging and pulling away from the church then they started to question their faith too." If people were so strong about their faith then wouldn't it be harder to drive them astray? It had to be people that were already questioning their faith in the first place in order for them to start agreeing/ openly questioning the way that their religion was. There might have been some to start questioning their religion even if they are strong believers. For example, for someone like a catholic noble they would be able to attend church and with no problem be able to purchase indulgences. On the other hand for someone like a catholic peasant who has to work more often and then is having to scrape money in order to buy indulgences, they would be more inclined to go for a reform if it suggest that one does not need to do such things.
I believe everybody was effected by the changes going on. This was a situation in which all lifestyles were put on the line. For example, most people who watched as new ideas in the church surface had to wonder how they were going to live their lives. Most of them, I supposed, wondered if they were going to go along with the wave of new ideas or just stay true to what they were doing all along. Being in this position could effect anybody - the high class and the low class - because their ultimate choice would bring judgement and perhaps scolding. In sad cases, their final decision brought many disagreements which lead to more fighting and unhappiness throughout Europe.
During the Protestant Reformation, certain factors contributed to the affections of society such as- women, the nobility, the middle class, and peasantry. The Protestant Reformation's views of most women can turn out to be one of the most significant figures and change of roles for years to follow. As a woman, she should be the role of a wife and mother. Women are to be told and follow all directions from their husbands as well. Before, women did not have the right to divorce their husbands, but since the reformation came into play, they have the right to divorce as much as their husband could. Judging from the transitional phases from the Middle Ages to the Reformation we could generalize that women have been granted more rights (but not as much as men) than ever before. However, women are still demanded to be "ornaments" of the family. In literal meaning, they are to listen attentively, do housework chores, care for the children, and even stabilize livestock. But from this, women's influence on the Reformation also encouraged them to study the bible frequently more often. For this reason, it represents women to be the educated, and to play as the religiously enlightened figure of the husband and children.
Martin Luther opened the eyes of many peasants when he initiated the Protestant Reformation. The peasants were brainwashed by the Catholic Church into thinking that they could buy their way into heaven by purchasing indulgences. Realizing the corruption of the church, Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses, which protested against the clergy and the sale of indulgences. He also translated the bible from Latin into vernacular, which was now readable by the peasants. The peasants began breaking away from the Catholic Church, finally realizing it's abusive, slanderous ways and formed their own Lutheran church. They still believed in the same religion but without the corruption. The Protestant Reformation not only influenced the peasants to live in a more sinless civilization, but changed the rest of society to be less corrupt.
The Protestant Reformation made an impact on the roles and rights of women. Many Protestants disagreed with literature from the Middle Ages that was anti-woman and anti-marriage. Reformers believed their wives were indispensable companions in their work. Martin Luther wrote that "Men cannot do without women. Even if it were possible for men to beget and bear children, they still could not do without women." Protestants obviously praised women and their role in society. Reformers allowed women to divorce and remarry if adultery and abandonment was involved. Woman of the higher class received more religious freedom but some women protested the closing of nunneries. Protestants encouraged woman to be educated and literate. This allowed women to be able to read the bible themselves, which led to women finding that they were equal to men under God.
Justin,
In my opinion, I believe peasants were greatly influenced on the Reformation because of Martin's 95 theses. These 95 points persuaded and enlightened the peasants, therefore, leading to a series of revolts throughout the period. And also referring to your statement, "Though peasants were illiterate so they couldn't read the bible." I would disagree because the bible was translated in the vernacular to help peasants understand the concept of the church's corruption easier.
Ethen
I agree with your stance on the role of women on the Protestant Reformation. They were not entirely useless and supported their husbands by being obedient and taking care of household chores. They had limited abilities and were not allowed to preach or publish their opinions. The Protestant Reformation encouraged the women to be less involved in the church and more at home, with household affairs.
Overall, the catholic peasants were tremendously affected by the Protestant Reformation. Before Martin Luther introduced a new perspective on the church, peasants had a simple mindset of listening to the Pope, and going to church. Peasants were seen simply as bodies who took up space in the society, suckers who funded the church by purchasing indulgences, and the most oppressed class. After Luther posted his 95 Theses (ignition of P.R.), it is clear that the peasants had access to more rights. The Protestant Reformation allowed Bibles to be translated into people's own dialect. Because people now had access to read the Bible, most became able to interpret the Bible, without relying on the twisted words of the Church. Thus, granting the peasants power over the church's lies. The P.R. also granted more freedom to most people, such as the ability to practice their own religion. Although the peasants still remained peasants, their new knowledge on the bible allowed them to become more informed so that they do not get cheated by the Church in the future. The P.R. also burdened the tension between the peasants and the church leading them to revolt for economic, political, and religious demands. To sum it up, peasants were granted more rights, ability to interpret the bible, practice their own religion, and they became more aware of the Church.
Miguel,
I agree thoroughly with your generalization, however, I believe women where somewhat of a use to the husbands. Women represented the "ornament", in other words, they were used for looks- to make the room more lightened up, to care for the children, provide food, and do house hold chores. Otherwise, all information you've provided is coherent.
Ethen, I agree with you on the drastic change of women's statuses. From Middle Ages to Renaissance to the Protestant Reformation, women has came a long way to achieve respect and power in society rather than one who spends time sitting on a Christmas tree. They are seen equal to men, given the access to divorce their husband. They are also given the ability to study the bible and obtain an education without having to limit their usage of knowledge which is a big step towards a modern day American woman.
Tahani,
I believe that the peasants were not able to be saved through good deeds, rather being true Catholics and a firm believer of God. However, I agree with your statement that the peasants broke away from the Catholic Church after realizing its corruption. I would like to mention the 95 Theses which basically pointed out the flaws and corruption in the Catholic Church and show them that indulgences were not the way to heaven. Also, Martin's translation of the Bible helped the peasants to be closer to God and understand the scriptures of the Bible.
Although the Protestant Reformation mainly impacted religious teaching and traditions, it also greatly affected the lives of women during this time period. One of the main changes brought on by the Protestant Reformation was the ability for women to divorce and remarry. Before, divorce was almost unheard of, but now women were allowed to. Even though women were now given this privilege, they were still expected to keep their main role in society and remain passive to men. Another change caused by the Protestant Reformation was that women were now encouraged to learn of literacy in their vernacular. These were all great steps taken in the direction away from discrimination by gender, but it is still far away from reaching equality.
Christian Laforga, I 100% agree with you on how poorly the peasants were being treated during the pre-protestant reformation era. They were wrongfully abused peasants who had little money. Luckily the P.R. came into play and allowing the peasants to open their eyes to realize the corruption of the church. They became more aware and more active of the church.
Ethan Liang,
I disagree with your statement because I don't believe women were seen as equals...yet. They were still seen as ornaments, and even then, only some women were able to receive the rights that they deserved. They were also expected to, still, remain passive to men. There was still much room for improvement and little progress towards equality.
Ethan,
I agree that Martin Luther ignited the Protestant Reformation. He revealed to the people all that was wrong in the church. With bibles being translated in the vernacular and the posting of the 95 theses, peasants became more informed about the Church. However, peasants could only practice their own religion in private.
The Prostant Reformation had several affects on various aspects of sixteenth century European Society. The middle class in particular saw many new oppurtunities in light of the apparent change of ideals. For example, both William Tyndale's and Martin Luther's translations of the Bible into their respective vernacular languages allowed many middle class members of the English and German societies to read and interpret the bible in their own way. Many newly formed faiths such as Cslvinism and Lutheranism also emphasied higher education becuase of humanist influence. As a result, more middle class members of protestant societies were able to attend schools to obtain greater knowledge and move up into the higher social classes. Another major that occured within the middle class, was its view on church authority. Matin Luther's posting of the ninety-five theses relieved how currupted and tainted the church; most people then decided to not attend mass or preachings, not recognise papal authority, and not pay church taxes. Some of the negative effects of the protestant reform was the decrease in trade that came with the fear of war. With peasant revolts and open rebellion by Lutherian princes, it became too dangerous for travelers from distant coutnries to exchange their foreign goods and merchants and trades were greatly hurt. All in all, the Protestant Reformation mostly benefitted the middle classes of Europe becuase it allowed them to choose their own religion and allow them to gain higher roles in society.
Justin Nguyen,
I agree with your statement when you say that peasants were not as affected in the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Because of the lower class' low income, they probably didn't have room for indulgences in their budget. Most of the lower class' money went to taxes and the rest to their family. Also they couldn't get proper education and were illiterate because of the financial issues.
@Tahani
I agree with the fact that many peasants were illiterate and therefore could not understand the bible as well as others. However, I disagree with you on the peasants' goals. Although some became Lutherans in hopes of gaining salvation, I believe that most peasants had different intentions such as revolting in order to acquire more freedom.
Jeremy Po,
I strongly agree with your statement regarding the effects of the Protestant Reformation on women. Because of his own marital problems, Henry VIII, ruler of England, allowed divorce and remarriage within his newly formed Anglican Church. Divorce, once utterly non-exsistant within Europe, was now avaliable to all embers of English society. This would greatly effected women, in that they had to be more appealing to their men to ensure they would not be divorced. While I also agree that women were still expected to be subservant to men, their expected curriculiam was fair greater than simply knowledge of their vernacular languages. Women needed to be able to entertain through dancing, singing, or engagment in serious discussions. However a negative effect of the reformation on women was protestantism's strict stance on not allowing women to hold priest positions. Most women who had prevoiusly widely served as priests and monks, were stripped of their titles and forced to take up new jobs. Nevertheless the Reformation does show a signifcant step towards equality among the genders.
Ethen,
I agree with your stance on the impact of the Protestant Reformation on women. Women gained more religious freedom which complimented to the social and political freedom they received from the Renaissance. Despite these new freedoms, women were still seen as ornaments, like you said.
The Protestant Reformation effected many areas of life. It weakened the power of the papacy over countries, but it also strengthened the power of the papacy in countries such as Spain. Many people felt liberated by the Reformation because they had greater access to the Bible with vernacular copies which became more readily available. The peasant revolt was considered a black mark on Martin Luther's record. He was the foundation of the revolt and first supported them, but when they went too far he condemned them and encouraged the princes to take them down. The peasants were angry that the English Reformation armies, sent by King Henry VIII, were going around destroying the Catholic Churches. The King was also demanding more taxes from them. The peasants then revolted in order to stop them from destroying their religion and suppressing them. Luther probably new he had to take action against the peasants because if the revolt succeeded, his reformation would fail. Because Luther gave the princes control over the peasants, he formed strong allies and was seen as an extension of power. This is a relative effect on overall the Protestant Reformation among the peasants.
The Protestant Reformation to me was a way to break away from the church. People started to realize that the church wasn't as good as said to belive. The middle class was greatly affected because they started to realize the worngs of the church with the help of Martin Luther and other protestants. The corruption of the church cause many poeple to break away from the church. Poeple started to do individual studies at home or become of a completely defferent religion. This also caused the Peasant's Revolt because the peasants wanted to revolt against the church because of the high taxes and they were angry beause of their corruption.
I agree with Bailey's comments on the Protestant Reformation because not only did the the Protestant reformation affect the lower and middle class, women were as well gretaly affected.Women were now allowed to divorce and remarry which was a great success for women especially those unhappy in the marriage. This also affected many social aspects as in a lot of poeple started to re-think the power of the church and started to break away as poeple started to go off on their own. With the combined beliefs or Martin Luther and other protestants people were able to see the corruption of the church that cause a great impact in Europe and their overall beliefs.
The Protestant Reformation was basically a 16th century schism within Western Christianity established by Martin Luther and John Calvin along with other Protestants. It began when Luther posted the Ninety-Five Theses on a church door in 1517. The reformation effected many social classes such as the peasants. The Catholic Church began to lose their power, both politically and religiously and most of their people due to the reformation. As the Church began weaken, the nobles took advantage of that fact and attempted to gain more power and land. Because the nobles wanted more money, they made peasants pay more taxes and limited their land. The peasants became frustrated and started to express their disapproval, which started the Peasants’ Revolt in 1524.
Tahani,
I agree with you that the peasants were affected directly and indirectly.I strongly agree with you that they didn't have alot if any say in church affairs and so for that they bought indulgences to reconsile their sins.If there was one thing i would fix is to give a little bit more detail for why Martin Luther did not support the Lutherans. Overall though, I think you have a strong paragraph.
Belinda,
I do agree with your ideas, but I wished you would have elaborated a little bit more on the two social classes you chose. You could have elaborated aliitle bit more on how the church was losing power and why the noble classes were gaining power. you could have done this by saying something like the church was decreasing in loyalty, beacause there were alot of peaple coverting to Lutheranism and Calvinism. You have a strong paragraph though.
The ideals of the protestant reformation brought forth a new way of thought. No longer was the catholic church the sole authority of belief. Take for example, the Lutheran movement. Luther's ideals spurred new beliefs in economic equality and the peasantry of the time was quick to join him in his beliefs. Calling forth their economic rights, the peasants revolted under the belief that Luther supported their actions. Instead, the peasantry was left abandoned by the Lutherans, their fates once again in the hands of the nobility, who were quick to punish any further resentment.
Alex
I agree with your belief in that human ingenuity, in the form of the printing press and translations of the bible, helped facilitate the increased powers of the peasantry. No longer are they pressed into blindly following their faiths. The fact that they can now interpret the bible in their own manner helped further spur the protestant reformation
Christian
I agree with your belief that the Protestant Reformation affected all classes, albeit in different ways. The nobility saw it as an opportunity to once again take advantage of the other classes in order to gain more money and power. Middle men saw an increase in the amount of privileges they could garner while simultaneously being affected by the ideals of the new faiths.The peasantry saw a drastic change in that their literacy rate spiked, and with the translation of the bible in the vernacular, helped further catalyze reform movements, even in the lower classes.
Many peasants were affected my the Protestant Reformation. Since many peasants were not well educated it gave the rich/upper classmen the advantage to help the church and know whats actully going on. Another thing is that not all the peasants were able to go to church so since it was a "sin" they had to resort to buying indulgences from the church just so they can get into to heaven faster. Later Martin Luther came along and disagreed with the church which led him to post the 95 theses. Once Martin Luther posted this many peasants started to realize the church was scamming them which many began to follow Martin Luther. Many of his followers began to call themselves Lutherans although he didn't want to start his own religious christianity branch. He was just trying to point out the Catholic Church's flaws and what he thought they should fix.
@Joenah Tolentino
I agree with most of your comment but it seems like Martin Luther didn't actually start the movement. People from before had disagreements with the church but weren't totally successful of spreading it. Martin Luther was able to because laws changed and he was inspired, read, and learned about the others who tried to revolt against the church. So Martin Luther did have a huge role in the Reformation but it wasn't just him.
@amanda clegg
Your comment is mostly true but i don't know if Martin Luther was more bold about it. Its just the people before were "burned at the steak" right away if they diagreed with the church. Some laws also changed which let Martin Luther go into trial and not get killed. That is what led him to actually spread it more.
The Protestant reformation was a period of time that had a huge impact on social class. One example of a social class that was affected was nobility. During this period of time, Martin Luther wrote the 95 theses which took away all of the power of the church. As the church lost the power the nobles gained power. Another group of people that were affected were the middle class. The middle class people wanted to have more independence and wanted to be able to choose their own religion. In the end, the middle class’s need for freedom took away power from the nobles. The last group that was greatly affected by the protestant reformation was the peasants. Like the middle class, the peasants wanted more power and religious freedom as well because of the new religion Martin Luther established.
-Divina Mesropian
@juliennec
I completely agree with your statement. I think because of the church losing most of their power, nobles gained an immense amount of power. I also agree with you on the fact that Martin Luther’s 95 theses was the reason the church lost most of its power. In my opinion, you were very accurate when you said that the middle class and peasants strived for more freedom with their religion because they were influenced by the teachings of Luther.
-Divina Mesropian
@Joenah Tolentino
I completely agree with your statement about the effects of the protestant reformation. I agree with what you stated about Martin Luther supporting the peasants at first but once they stepped out of line, he betrayed them and told the authorities to take them down. In my opinion you were accurate when you said that the king went around forcing taxes upon peasants and terminating catholic churches. Overall these factors from the protestant reformation really did affect social class.
-Divina Mesropian
Despite the religious bigotry and fraudulent ecclesiastics the Protestant Reformation sought to reconstitute, the trailblazing movement certainly did not trek its path without leaving behind some incredible consequences on the people of Europe, specifically the nobles. In the aftermath of Luther's 95 Theses, although Pope Leo X had no "interest in the squabbling of monks," soon many supporters, including nobles, had made themselves patrons of Luther's plight. As a result, a dividing contrast of religion had begun to affect the temporal bonds of the nobility, disuniting Lutheran, Catholic, and even Calvinist princes. Their powers were denigrated with their alliances limited to the other nobility that shared their faith, forcing taxation amongst other things that ultimately led to the Peasants Revolt to rise against the oppression. In addition to their economic strife, the wealthy nobility were also fooled by Tetzel into buying indulgences for their deceased, who might have been suffering in the purgatory. Lutheran princes also began to install Protestantism in their lands, which eventually led to the Schmaldkaldic Legislation consisting of the Protestant nobility prepared for war with Charles V. However, the emperor crushed the league and in place put his own Catholic puppet rulers in the Lutheran nobility's place. It is safe to say that the nobility suffered religious oppression as well as economic and social downfall with the peasant rebellions and disparate alliances. With the Peace of Augsburg marking the division of Christendom permanent, the religious tension was alleviated with "Cuius region, euius religio," where the ruler of the land determined its religion. However the dichotomy of Catholic and Lutheran nobility left the Holy Roman Empire still in pieces and nationalism was at its worse. The empire would remain separated for quite awhile, much to its disadvantage.
@Tahani Ali
Although your early assumptions of the peasant's religious limitations due to their economic trouble, in contrast with your statement that "they bought indulgences for salvation," the peasantry could afford little else other than insubstantial necessities. Indulgences were bought only by the nobility and wealthy who could afford to care for the dead who were "suffering in purgatory" rather than the present needs. Before the instigation of Luther, the peasants remained ignorant and subdued to the uneducated clergy and had no notion of anticlericalism or pietism - just going to Church was enough. With the translation of the Bible to vernacular they were slowly regaining a sense of their beliefs and interpretations albeit wrong increduously, leading to the Peasant's Revolt. However the peasants might have dwindled in population and spirit, it was apparent that they experienced a heightened sense of religious sensitivity.
During this time period, the Protestant Reformation influenced many people in many ways. Religiously or in a rebellious manner. The Reformation affected the women of this time, not a lot but enough. For marriage A wife was expected to be a companion to her husband, but she was always his subordinate. The women were always seen passively and overruled. Obedience was demanded by husbands, and women were restricted in their actions. Also divorce was practically impossible to get. This was true under the Protestant churches as well as under the Catholic Church, however the Reformation benefited women in that they gained more rights such as they could file for divorce as much as husbands could. Socially, the clergy could now be married, reducing illegitimate births although there is little if any evidence illegitimacy was mainly fueled by unmarried clergy. Women's voices in the Reformation were mostly quashed with their writings destroyed because of the edict in the Bible for women to be silent. The protestant was a mere stepping stone to highlight the women of the time as they grow silently.
@Alex Tung
I wholeheartedly agree with you on the effects the Protestant Reformation brought upon peasants. Although Luther did not support their rebellions, which led to hundreds of thousands of poverty stricken poor to be slated by the unpopular nobility, the peasants did gain religious sensitivity out of all this. They could finally interpret their beliefs on their own rather than under the uneducated clergy. The movement did not affect the peasants greatly, but they did not have much to losein the first place.
John Shin,
I agree with you in your statement that the church brainwashed the peasants into buying indulgences. The peasants saw looked up to the clergy and religion as their source of salvation, and with them encouraging the sale of indulgences, the peasants believed that they could use it as a way into heaven, and bought them without hesitation.
John
I agree with your statement on how the church "brain washed" many peasants. Its is true because as a lower class, they appoint themselves to look up to the higher power where the church was their only hope in life. For a better life they valued heaven and finding any way to get into it, buy buying indulgences. These people believed in the wrong and was led in a lethal direction were they couldve crashed into despair. So yes, you are spot on with how these peasants have a reality check during the protestant reformation.
Ethan Liang,
I agree with your statement that the posting of Martin Luther's 95 thesis gave peasants the access to more rights. Peasants, due to the 95 thesis, were able to see through the Church's ruse, and thus started to rebel and demand more rights from the church.
Tanner
The nobility were affected greatly yes, but would they really get into a feud with the middle class if they lean more with the princes? There is a scramble for power yet they will most likely follow with the prince to keep their power. Usually the fight for power is amongst the Church and the King/Prince themselves. The nobility wont need to dirty their hands and settle with others. Good statement though, I can see how there can be a plot twist with what you are saying.
All of the levels in society were affected by the Protestant Reformation. The middle class was mainly affected by the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther played a big role in it, with his 95 theses. After the Edict of Nantes, the middle class could actually choose their own religion. This opened up opportunity for secularism and tolerance. Over time, more people began to leave their old religions(mainly Catholicism) to find new ones.
Amanda,
I agree with your beliefs on the middle class taking a huge part of the Protestant Reformation. Also, you were right in bringing up the fact that all the classes were also effected by the reformation. It really emphasizes that the reformation was a huge thing that effected a ton of people. You also mentioned the other people that were involved and that supported Martin Luther.
Katrina,
I strongly agree with the points and facts in your statement. Peasants did get majorly affected during the Protestant Reformation. Social classes either got poorly effected or strongly effected which something that you brought up. Also, you talked about the revolt which is an important factor that took place as well. The statements you pointed out greatly helped better my understanding of the stance of the different social classes during the Reformation.
John I also agree that the church "brainwashed" pesants into buying indulgences. Since pesants did whatever the church told them to, they listened and bought indulgences. They most likely didnt know any better and wanted to get less time in purgatory and a quicker time in heaven. John you were completly right on this.
Dakarai De Remus,
I agree with what you said about how the middle class was affected by the Protestant Reformation and how Martin Luther was a major figure in reform. However, I will point out that the Edict of Nantes was only in effect in France, under Henry IV's reign. Also, the Edict did not necessarily promote a choice of religion, but tolerance of religion. It also attempted to resolve the religious tension that divided France after the French Civil War, but even then, people converting religions would not be normal behavior. Tolerance does not always mean acceptance.
During the Protestant Reformation, many factors affected the women. Women were usually a class lower than their husbands and they didn’t do much except help around the farm and care for their children. One main effect that came out of the Protestant Reformation was that women could have a divorce. They also gained more rights. Another change that came out of the Protestant Reformation was that women were now encouraged to study the bible in vernacular. Overall, the Protestant Reformation had a great effect on the women.
The Protestant Reformation was fueled by the middle class. Although it was Martin Luther who had initially started the Protestant Reformation, it was the middle class that supported his religious views when the upper class did not. For example, Martin Luther recognized the corruption of the Catholic church and did something about it. While most of the upper class ignored Luther, a lot of middle class people agreed with Luther and his teachings so some stopped attending church as often or altogether. I believe that Martin Luther did start the Protestant Reformation because although there were others before him, he got people's attention without writing a book. He did something that others did not do and that was grasping people's attention and opened their eyes to the church's wrong doings. Because of the printing press, his 95 theses were mass produced giving people no choice but to read them.
Josh C I agree with you that pesants were not well educated so nobles knew more of what was going on. Also you said that it was a "sin" for pesants not to go to church, so they bought indulgences to "cover up" for the sin. There were many reasons pesants may have bought indulgences, not just because they couldnt afford to attend church.
@John Shin
I suppose I agree with what you say. I can see how Martin Luther was able to shine a light on the whole situation when it came to the church. Martin Luther was, in a way, a representative of the ideas no one wanted to express. He was brave enough to rebel against a higher power no one wanted to revolt against due to its high standards. What makes me wonder, however, is why people are so narrow minded as to follow a so-called 'higher power' and listen to whatever they say. I wonder why people at the time couldn't just see their own view on things without being told how to act by a group of men who belonged to a high position.
During the middle ages, the Protestant Reformation effected many social classes such as nobles, women, peasants, and the middle class. The Protestant Reformation was caused by the Corruption in the Catholic Church, Critics of the Church, Renaissance Humanism, and Declining prestige of the papacy. I think that the social class that was effected the most would be the peasants. Martin Luther's posting of the 95 theses could have been the main reason of the peasant revolt. People were buying indulgences just because they were told that it was a way they can get into heaven so they would give up their money for it. Then they started to realize that the sale of indulgences was just a scam. Then people started calling themselves as "Lutherans" which was a new religion created by Martin Luther but he did not mean to create a new religion, all he wanted was to stop the sale of indulgences and to stop the lies that were told to Catholics. The 95 theses was also the reason the Catholic Church lost most of its power and got corrupted.
The Protestant Reformation not only had an impact on the middle class but the and lower class during the Reformation. But many middle and lower classes didnt notice how corrupt the church was until a former German monk named Martin Luther talked about the corruption in the church. He was not the first one to talk about the corruption in church but he was surely involved in the revival of the idea. When his 95 theses were transferrred into the vernacular for all to read. This event had a an impact on theese two social classes, they started to notice the things that where wrong and started to rebel also. Not far after did other people start follwing theese beliefs and led the way to other religons to soon be founded. With a lot of different beliefes being founded more and more people started changing their beliefs therefore people where finally able to choose their religion and education about there religion to become closer to god. Although these are just some of the ways they affected social classes most of these made a huge impact on the Reformation society.
@Rebecca I agree with you, but it wasnt Martin Luther who noticed the corruption in the church. There were others that "planted the seed for him" like Wycliffe and Erasmus. And people did have the choice whether or not to read the 95 theses.
Josh C,
I totally agree with you that the sale of indulgences was one of the reasons Martin Luther wrote the 95 theses and that he did not mean to create a new religion. But I dont think that peasants bought indulgences to cover for not going to church, I think that there are other reasons that they bought them. I also wouldnt say get into heaven "faster" but just be able to get into heaven. I hope you understand what i mean.
@Miguel Butiu
I agree with your statement of how the Protestant Reformation made an impact on the roles and rights of women. Yes, they were granted with more independence and were now allowed to do several things, such as, divorcing and receiving a more religious education. Although they obtained more 'power' than before, they were still considered as "ornaments" to the family and were not equal to men.
@Bailey I completely agree with you. You make very clear valid points on how woman during this time werent just used for cooking and cleaning around the house but also being more educated and could talk about religuous topics an not be ornaments. Woman being able to divorce could actually give them a chance to marry someone they actually wanted to live with. During this time though you think woman would have more say but, I guess it has to slowly evolve. Bailey all in all you make really good points.
Generally, the Protestant Reformation affected all social classes but it created more of an impact on the peasants. For instance, one of the main purposes of selling indulgences was to gain more money. Of course the indulgences were mainly meant for the peasants for they were easily influenced in the belief that it was a one-way ticket to heaven and they weren’t involved in the disputes concerning indulgences, therefore they were clueless towards the real reason of purchasing one. Although, once they realized they were only being taken advantage of they began joining Martin Luther’s ideas towards the opposition of the church. This sparked the peasant’s revolt thus leading the peasants to stop purchasing indulgences. Because of this, the church’s power over the peasantry was weakened and their social standing was slightly raised for taking matters into their own hands. Without a doubt, the Protestant Reformation eminently affected the peasantry.
The protestant reformation had a relative effect on the peasant class in more ways than one. The peasant's revolt was when the peasant leaders, many which were Lutheran, saw that Luther's teachings included Christian freedom. They desired Luther's support of their alleged Christian political and economic rights. They demanded of being released from serfdom. The peasants still had their beliefs even though some of them were illiterate. They believed that they had the right to have their own beliefs and to be free.
Josh C,
I agree with a majority of your statement especially of how missing church was considered a “sin” and how Luther’s disagreements with the church lead him to post the 95 Theses. Although, I do not believe that because of missing church, it gave the peasants a reason to buy indulgences. Indulgences were mainly used to pardon their sins and to guarantee they’ll go to heaven. This also brings up another point of which indulgences weren't so they could go to heaven faster but to go to heaven, period.
Christian Hasan
I agree with the fact that you believed that all the social classes were affected. I agree that the middle class experienced changes and achieved many new privileges. The way you provided information on all of the social classes.
Sophia,
I agree with your statement of how women were at a lower standing compared to their husband and how the Reformation gained more rights for them as well. Although, I disagree with the statement “One main effect that came out of the Protestant Reformation was that women could have a divorce,” I feel as if it were more of the husband’s choice as to whether they could get a divorce or not, especially since the men were of a higher social standing. If the women were to divorce it would make them a social outcast, which was what women avoided doing. Also, I wished you would've elaborated more on what kind of rights women had due to the Reformation.
Alex Tung
I agree with your views on the affects of the peasants sue to the protestant reformation. The peasants did seek assistance from Luther, however did not receive the help. I also agree with your statement about how the upper class was intimidated by the expanding of literacy.
The Protestant Reformation was a rebellion led by Martin Luther against the Catholic Church because of its corruption. The effect of woman in the Holy Roman Empire was relatively positive. I would consider woman to be a part of the middle/lower class, depending on how much power and money their families had. Women were still presented as an ornament and had less power than their husbands. But the Protestant Reformation was an event that gained women more rights and granted them with an addition of a little bit more power. Women now had their own decision to take part in a divorce, and had divorcing rights.
juliennec,
I agree with your statement on how the nobility gained more power. This helped me clarify that the church was losing power, and was not having the power taken away from them by force. I also agree with you that Martin Luther’s post of his 95-thesis was the start of the Protestant Reformation. But, I disagree because I felt that only the Holy Roman Empire’s opinion changed, not the entire western civilization.
Divina Mesropian,
I agree with your statement listed. The nobility was affected by the Protestant reformation and how the church lost its power. The church’s power being lost, have gained the nobility more power towards their position. But I did not understand what you stated about the peasants because there was not a clear statement of how the reformation affected the peasants. But I totally agree with you about the middle class and how they wished for more independence.
The Protestant Reformation had a big impact upon the peasants seeing as how the two main aspects of their life was religion and earning money in order to survive. When the church had begun to be challenged they were confused as to what to do since that was all they had believed in for most of their lives. When the selling of indulgences the peasants had started to lose their money by purchasing their way to salvation. In this way they had started lose another of their life styles of trying to save their money. Also when Martin Luther had started to teach about freedom and criticized monastic landowners, they had agreed with his views to the point that it led to the Peasant Revolt. Through the Peasant Revolt thousands were killed ruthlessly. Overall the reformation had various affects upon the peasants, but it had impacted them the most.
@Ashley Chen
I completely agree with how the effect of women in the Holy Roman Empire was positive. I like how you grouped women into being a part of the middle/lower class based upon how much power they had. All women weren't necessarily middle/lower class because the upper class women obtained more power and education than those of women who were peasants. They did gain more power, but were still restricted like you said.
Dear Valerie Kwee,
I agree with your statement posted. With the nobles gaining more power and misusing it the peasants had begun to feel that they deserved freedom. Martin Luther only fueled their fire with his teaching of religious freedom. Thus the beginning of the Peasant Revolt.
Dear Tanner Cordeiro,
I agree with your statement on how all social classes were affected by the Protestant Reformation. The nobility, specifically the princes, had decided to support Luther because of the fact that this way they would gain more power. If the Catholic Church fell they would gain more power in a religious aspect as well. Also through this, they had to deal with the peasant uprising and threatening their new found power.
The Protestant Reformation relatively affected the middle class as a whole. Seeing as the Catholic Church lost its power, more opportunities opened for faith. These Protestant beliefs supported the spiritual being of individuals, granting them more freedom in their everyday lives. It also gave the middle class a chance to rise up to a slightly higher form of power, making the nobles feel threatened. The middle class didn't feel obliged to put forward most of their income to the church. Self priesthood attracted the new converts due to the idea of a personal direct connection to God.
Ashley Chen,
I agree with your statement of women gaining more rights. Instead of being seen as plain ornaments, they were also given the opportunity to educate themselves to carry a conversation (if they were of higher class). The lower class women related to Protestant ideas which granted them more freedom as individuals. Overall, women were slowly climbing their way to the concept of equal rights.
juliennec,
I agree with your response. Adding onto it, Martin Luther made sure to educate himself with the bible and the way the church should act. He took a trip to Rome and observed the process of selling indulgences. Luther felt a sense of pity for the gullible peasants who spent most of their money trying to free their deceased loved ones from purgatory. Johann Tetzel, who sold the indulgences, became the villain in Luther's eyes. This is what sparked Luther to post his 95 theses and mark the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.
Mr. Neal,
The flood gates have been opened.
^ Tamara AbuZaineh btw oops
The Protestant Reformation greatly effected various social classes such as nobles, middle class, and women. However, I belive that the reformation strongly impacted on the peassants. Even though the peasants were not cared for, they too had their religioius beliefs but it was rather difficult for them to express them. Many peasants were influenced and encouraged by Martin Luther's 95 Theses, which is said marked the beginning of the reformation,to rebel against their leaders because they had opposed the efforts of their secular and ecclesiastical lords to override thier traditional laws and customs and to subject them to new territorial regulations and taxes. However, many lords were also Lutherans and saw in his teachings about Christian freedom and his criticism of monastic landowner, which the lords agreed with. Due to this, peasant lords supported Lutheran's teachings and were encouraged by Luther to crush the revolt mericilessly. Tens of thousands of peasants died by the time it was over. Even though all social classes were impacted by this movement, the peasants were effected greatly in my opinion.
Denise Lorenzo,
I agree with everything you said about how the selling of indulgences was intended to make money for the church. However, the indulgences were not necessarily directed toward the peasants, but did become a religious and financial goal for them. Religiously, going to heaven was practically a dream to peasants, since the church brainwashed them into thinking that buying indulgences will be the only chance peasants will have to get to heaven. Financially, on the other hand, peasants strived to save money to buy an indulgence, which, with their already low income, was very unlikely.
@Katrina
I completely agree with your statements. You made valid and sensible points about how the peasants were effected during this time period. You made it very clear to see that because of the Luther's actions and posting of 95 Theses, the peasants had a reason to take charge. Even though it was not a great success, both the towns and church were effected by it.
@Denise
I also agree with everything you said about indulgences and the peasants. Your points and statements helped me connect the two together. Also, your response informed me about the selling of indulgences to peasants and how they personally felt about it. Overall, I agree with your response.
Jordan Brown
As there are many affects to the Protestant Reformation, nobility and many social classes were heavily impacted due to this issue. In example peasant and the lower class was impacted because many peasants before were illiterate and had no time to learn and get an education. They were too busy living day by day working to provide for theor families ashis was a time that kids were needed to
The Protestant Reformation had a huge impact on the lives of the middle class. During this time it was easier for the middle class to make their own religious decisions and break away from the church. Since they were aware of the problems in the church, they had a more open mind towards the new teachings of Martin Luther that were rising up around them. Also, they were given a new version of the Bible, written in their language so they could understand and see the false teachings of the church. This gave them more courage to question the church and even start their own beliefs. The power of the nobility had been weakened at this time, allowing the middle class to have access to more education, causing intellectual growth and curiosity. They started to realize the world that was around them, outside of the world that the church had forced them to believe in. The Protestant Reformation was definitely a period of growth for the middle class.
(ERIC MILLER)
The protestant reformation delt not only with nobilty but also with peasants. Though the peasants didnt do much to start the reformation their faith to either side they chose did. The peasants really just had to sit back and watch the action that Erasmus and Luther were doing. Then after listening to both sides and pick with they believed was right. But also think if they favor 1 side that side get power and by power i mean money. If you have the congregation you have the offering .
Though there are an abundance of effects of the Protestant Reformation, the nobility and social classes were greatly affected. At this time, the lower class along with peasant had relied purley on their faith to practice religion. They were unable to read, and therefore were illiterate and coulnd't interpret the bible. That is until William Tyndale's new edition of the bible which would allow people to interpret the bible into english. This event would spark the leading to many other reformists such as Erasmus or Huss and Wycliffe which would then lead to the great Martin Luther. His 95 Theses expose the church and showed that their teaching were not true to the catholic bible. Though Lither's intentions were innocent, he would in fact spark the age of question and who exactly was being true to the bible. Now, peasants were exposed to the bible and were able to develop their own questions and reasons about religion. They began to realize that the clergy had in fact been a flaud. The selling of indulgences was now to be proven to be wrong and the social class was outraged. Many revolted such like the people in Germany. Martin Luther though flattered that they were taking a stand, didn't agree woth the many casualties and did not partake in this event. The peasants also revolted to the 12 Articles as it had upsetted them that the king would not listen to Martin Lither's suggestions to live in a place where religion could be shared fairly without one needing to hde or feel afraid to express their beliefs. The peasants now revolting made many higher classes upset. Especially people like John of Leyden which called to order to kill all protestants and lutherans. On another note however, as like many of you have already noted, I agree that the nobilities power was higher becuase the church was now weakened and their lands were being tarnished and expose which made it easier for nobles to kinda of hide behind the church's falling apart and slowly gain power and lands.
Rebecca Saunders, I disagree with your statement that the upper class ignored Martin Luther. Martin Luther gave them a chance to explore new religions as well. Princes were especially glad with his new teachings because they had more control over the land that they ruled. Their power was gained through the weakened state of the church, which usually had all the power. Although these German princes didn’t really care about the new teachings, they supported Luther because of selfish reasons.
The Reformation had a huge effect on the peasants. Many wanted to override their traditional laws and customs and to subject them to new territorial regulations and taxes. Also many of these peasants believed in Martin Luthers teachings. Peasant leaders believed in Luther's teachings of critisism towards landowners. At first, Martin Luther sided with the peasants. However, when the peasants revolted in Luther's name, he orded them all killed. Between 70,000 and 100,000 peasants were killed.
Jordan Brown
@Nataja I definitely agree with your stance that as a peasant their focal point in life was to maintain faith in god, yet work to maintain their living. I do agree thay becuase reading at first wasnt a primary goal for them that when Tyndale rewrote or i guess republished the bible into english it became a new groundbreaking discovery for them and it surprised them and showed the feeling of betryal and deception towards the church
Gary,
I agree with what you were saying about how the peasants received no help from Luther. However, they did at first. When they actually revolted, Luther urged them to be killed. This wiped out many peasants.
During the Protestant Reformation the peasants suffered major changes. The lower class held a major role in religion and the churches. Because of the Reformation, a lot of the taxes were thrown on the lower class for the churches. The popes pushed new beliefs such as indulgences, taking more and more money. The people relied on their beliefs to save them from sin, this was difficult due to the Reformation because the Protestants would break away from the church. Protestants had their own beliefs on what they felt was wrong and what was right. The peasants were also under the kings control and your religion wasn't an option, it was decided for you.
During the Protestant Reformation the peasants suffered major changes. The lower class held a major role in religion and the churches. Because of the Reformation, a lot of the taxes were thrown on the lower class for the churches. The popes pushed new beliefs such as indulgences, taking more and more money. The people relied on their beliefs to save them from sin, this was difficult due to the Reformation because the Protestants would break away from the church. Protestants had their own beliefs on what they felt was wrong and what was right. The peasants were also under the kings control and your religion wasn't an option, it was decided for you.
Jordan Brown
@amanda clegg and @alexis henry I didn't even think about the affects of the Protestant Reformation with the women of this time. They were also able to gain some education and now finally to escape the double standard that came with their marriages and could divorce now. Thanks!
Denise,
I agree that buying indulgences was important to peasants. Indulgences weren't mainly for peasants though. The middle class bought indulgences too. So they were meant for anybody.
Jordan Brown
@Valerie Kwee
Though I do fully respect and you do prove many points as to why Martin Luther's actions didn't fully lead to the forming of the Protestant Reformation, I believe that his 95 Theses did in fact lead to this event because he is known in fact as laying the egg that erasmus hatched. Yes, there were many reformists prior to this time but dod they lead to peasants revolting? Or the catholic reformation? Martin Luther's actions sparked and influenced many to take a stand to the church and new leaders and religion had sprung. Calvinism, antabaptists, and lutheranism, and many new religions changed many countires as they gained more indepence in their choosing of their religion, this being all before Henry's reign I believe it was when the Edict of Nantes was created so that tolerance would be created to allow different religion to be practiced in their own homes. However, I do see how you came up with your opinion ad well and do not believe you are wrong, I just happen to have a different opinion.
@Josh Cervantes,
Although you're mostly correct, there are some errors involved in your response. The meaning of the indulgences, for example. The indulgence forgives or releases a sin that the person has committed. It's not like it slowly kills you so you can get into heaven faster. You can also go into a bit more depths, but other than that good job.
The protestant reformation definitely left a big impact in Europe, not only on the higher class or nobility but also on the people as low as peasants. The protest reformation caused many controversial and rebellious events to happen, some even had to do with the peasantry. After Martin Luther’s protestant act towards the Catholic Church with his Ninety-Five thesis, people began to question the church and demanding change. Lutheran ideas appealed to the peasants because it gave them the security of personal faith where they could believe what they wanted and didn’t have to feel inferior due to the lack of riches or land. Also, through the selling of indulgences, the poor were exploited by the church but through Luther and his believes that nobody can pay their way to heaven, it liberated them and allowed them to believe that money might not matter in religion after all. These new believe and reformers led them to action in the German Peasants’ War. This war incorporated principles emerging from the Protestant Reformation in which they sought freedom and influence from oppressions by nobles and landlords. The revolt, however, didn’t end up as good as planned. More than 100,000 peasants died and the survivors were outlawed. Only few areas actually acknowledged their grievances but for the most part they were stopped in every attempt. As can clearly be seen peasants played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation, the new believes helped them cope with their place in society and even encouraged them to take a stand and demand change through a revolt. It might not have ended as well as they intended but it definitely left a big impact in the history and future changes of the Catholic Church and of the faith and believes of people.
The protestant reformation had a huge impact on the nobility, the middle class, and the women, but I believe that it had a greater impact on the peasants during this time. Several peasants liked Martin Luther’s teachings and statements. Since the church thought that the peasants were too ignorant to choose what they believe in by themselves, they went ahead and chose their beliefs. Because of this many peasants were impacted my Martin Luther’s teachings. Martin Luther made it possible for peasants to read the bible causing them to have a better understanding of it, which had a great impact on the peasants. However, when the poll tax was enforced, the peasants were required to pay the full tax, which was not favored due to the fact that they could barely afford food and shelter. Because of this and many other reasons they started a revolt, which killed thousands of peasants.
@Denise Lorenzo
I completely agree with what you’re saying. You made valid points about the selling of indulgences and how the peasants were completely clueless towards the reasons for purchasing them. The selling of indulgences weren’t specifically created just for the peasants. However, you gave logical points.
@Gary Gao
I agree with what you’re saying. Most peasants were illiterate, but they still had their own beliefs. I also agree with your statement on how the peasants wanted to be released from serfdom. Over all you made good points.
@katlyin
I completely agree with all of the points you have made, however, I feel that there were some errors in your response and some content that could of been elaborated on more. First of all, I believe that the Protestant Reformation was not only led by Martin Luther as you say in your response but also by many other events and reformers.Sure he played a major role in it but not as much as to say he led the whole thing, I mean what about John Calvin and other reformers? They might have been after him but they also helped start it up. Also, addressing your statement about women, they did get more rights but after all they were still not as powerful as men and didn't have nowhere near the power the did in some occasions. Your comment did address this but it needed to be more expanded. In all I completely agree with you but was confused on some of your points.
- Marie Sanchez
@boston
I absolutely agree on everything you said in response to the question, however, I was lost on some parts due to the organization. I get the that printing press had a major impact in Europe and the way things got around but your response didn't quite let me know more about Luther and his impact with religion as much as it should. I agree that his 95 thesis changed history but why and how? Luther was more than just a reformer, he was one of the main reasons the Protest Reformation started and his believes and actions cause huge changes in not only the middle class but in peasants and nobility too. I felt that some more of that information should of been stated in your response. However, your points were very good and accurate.
-Marie Sanchez
The protestant reformation was when the catholic church was put under inspection for its internal corruption. There were many events that led up to this reformation, such as the writings of Erasmus. It overall effected many different people, most commonly though the middle class. THere were many middle class men such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, etc. that sought to reform the church. While trying to do so both Martin Luther and John Calvin ended up creating their own branches of the Catholic religion. These branches became known as Calvinism and Lutheranism. Each of these religions gave a different view on religion for other middle classman,and under classman. It showed them that there wasn't simply one religion to follow, or only one way to do something. It gave the middle class and lower class hope, and something to believe in.
-Ashley Blankenship
Amanda,
I agree with your ideas of how all social levels were affected by the Protestant Reformation. Especially with how the middle class was mostly effected. However, you didn’t explain why you thought the women were greatly affected. But nonetheless, I agree with how you said Martin Luther was a main contributor to the Protestant Reformation and how that effected the rest of the social classes.
@Bailey
I completly agree with your views on the Protestant Religion. I believe that you stated how the middle class were effected well and even mentioned other areas that were affected. I agree that the right to divorce definitally made a difference among the people. I believe that you definitally understand the reformationa dn how it affected all those who were in it.
@Boston
I believe you are correct about how the middle class was affected. I think that what Martin Luther did by nailing his 95 theses changed everything.I also agree that the printing press played a large roll in spreading the word of Luther. You are also right that the middle class played a large roll in the Protestant Reformation.
The Protestant Reformation had a great affect on all of the citizens, but I believe that the Reformation had the greatest affect on the peasants. Peasants were very poor, and when it came to religion, they worshipped who the king did. When Luther came around with the 95-Theses, they believed in his teachings and realized that they were able to worship what they wanted. The Catholic Church taxed the peasants greatly, so many of them broke away and joined Luther due to that situation. Breaking away from the church also meant that the peasants no longer had to pay for expensive indulgences. The Reformation sounded like a good idea to peasants at first, but later on they held a revolt in Luther’s name. Martin Luther sided with the peasants, but because of the revolt, he ordered for them to be killed and between 70,000 to 100,000 peasants died in the process.
-Kinsey McElhaney
Ashley,
I understand that the Protestant reformation affected the middle and lower classes. How exactly were they affected? When you said that it "gave them hope," what exactly are they gaining hope in? The middle class can pay for indulgences, so how did they not "have hope" before they joined Lutherism and Calvinism?
Alondra,
I agree with your statement. The peasants were highly affected by the Protestant Reformation. However, many peasants were farmers and could not read, so they didn't all experience the bible for themselves. I believe that what affected them the greatest was that they no longer were in debt to a religion. Those not having to pay indulgences or being taxed probably persuaded them the most.
-Kinsey McElhaney
Ashley Blankenship,
I completely agree with you on how Martin Luther and John Calvin wanted to reform the church. However, I believe that they were not a branch of Catholicism because their beliefs strongly differed. Although they have the same ideas, their overall beliefs were different. I also agree with you on how the lower and middle classes got hope because with new religious groups starting they could join them and start to be more important.
-Boston Ludlow (Post 3)
Denise,
I agree with your ideas you shared about how the peasants were affected the most. However, I don’t think the indulgences were mainly just for them, but I do agree with how you said they were easily led into buying them. I like how you explained how the peasants learned to stop purchasing them after Martin Luther posted his 95 theses. Overall, I agree with your opinion.
Once flaws within the church surfaced, the peasants were left greatly affected. As the church was once exalted as the superior power they were suddenly viewed as liars and con men. They stole from the lower classes for their own benefit and allowed corruption to occur in one of the most “holiest” associations. The corruption that was taking place in the church lead the peasant community to lose faith in what they believed in and question the church. Some peasants even felt compelled to speak against the church by revolting which lead to some violence. Defending their religious views, their actions were not in any sense political. The selling of indulgences also marketed less time for their loved ones.
@ ashley2b
I completley agree with you. The Reformation made people skeptical of the the church which lead Martin Luther and John Calvin to branch off into their own faiths.
Once flaws within the church surfaced, the peasants were left greatly affected. As the church was once exalted as the superior power they were suddenly viewed as liars and con men. They stole from the lower classes for their own benefit and allowed corruption to occur in one of the most “holiest” associations. The corruption that was taking place in the church lead the peasant community to lose faith in what they believed in and question the church. Some peasants even felt compelled to speak against the church by revolting which lead to some violence. Defending their religious views, their actions were not in any sense political. The selling of indulgences also marketed less time for their loved ones.
chloe,
i absolutely agree with what you say about the middle class having a huge effect on the Protestant reformation. But i also think that Martin Luther and the middle class kind of go hand in hand. If it werent for Martin Luther to shed light to the church's flaws the middle class wouldnt have felt the need to break away from their church and join other branches on christianty . While martin Luther along with John Calvin led the way , what is a leader without leaders? Their movements could not haven taken such a full effect as they did if they did not have supporters ,or calvinists, or llolards etc. Basically i think the middle class produced the effect due to Martin Luther and the other guys' actions .
The Protestant Reformation effected numerous socials classes at the time, especially the women. Because the Protestants believed that the Bible is the only source of information for religion, they started to emphasize that a woman's only job is to be a proper wife. This lead to women being urged to be educated and become literate so they may be able to read the Bible. The education of women then lead to them being more independent, for example, some became independent authors. Also, Protestants began to view their wives as equal companions. This resulted in women being able to divorce if they had a reasonable excuse. In addition, other new laws were passed and gave them greater protection. All in all, the Protestant Reformation made small advances to the independence of women.
belinda,
i agree for the most part about what you said,except for the reasoning behind the peasant's revolting . i believe it had more to do with the fact that the church that they spent their whole lives in exhalting ,in the hopes of gaining salvation, was suddenly not what they had thought it was . It was a sleazy corrupt unholy band of priest stealing money from the denfensless.That left many peasants confused and angry which could lead them to revolting . yes taxes will definatly tick someone off but i feel it has a deeper reason for going against the church and that would be the betrayel.
amanda,
i agree with your views on how each social class was affected. the subject of the unfit church was one that was marketable to every class regardless of their status on the social ladder. peasants seemed to me to be affected the most as they were the ones to begin to question the church as well as everyone else but also physically go against the church , example. revolts, and then pay the price for it , deaths.
@Jose Cervantes
I do agree in most of your statement but in some aspects I do not. Because the Church had most of the power before the Protestant Reformation had completely spread, the nobles would not have helped the Church and would actually have opposed it in order to gain more power. But I do agree that a significant amount of peasants converted. When the peasants realized the corruption in the Church, it caused them to lose faith and convert to a protestant religion.
@ Kinsey McElhaney
I agree with most of your statement. I do agree that numerous peasants began to convert as Protestants began to show everyone the corruption within the Church. I also agree how it influenced them to take action and caused them to revolt which lead to many deaths. The one aspect in your statement that I do not agree is that the peasants worshiped what the king worshiped. When the Protestant Reformation occurred some peasants still didn't convert even though their king converted.
Overall, the Protestant Reformation had a rather large impact on all classes, but I believe that the peasant class was most effected. Due to being the corruption of the church being revealed through Luther's 95 Theses and other Protestant teachings, peasants and lower classes have also become aware of the wrongdoing in the church. Though they have no say, and will probably excommunicated or executed, many would turn to Protestantism and partake in the movement against the Catholic Church. As shown in the soon-to-happen Peasants' Revolt, many classes, mostly peasants, too part. The nobility were also affected due to the fact that their power was lessened, and they had less of a say in political powers. In my eyes, women were hardly effected, and treated the same as they always were. On the other hand, middle classes seemed to oppose the Catholic Church too, in believing that the Church had too much power and too many members.
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