1. The Counter Reformation 1530s-1648
The Catholic Church’s Response to the Protestant Reformation

2. The Counter Reformation - NOTES
The Church had three tactics:
1. Reform the Church from Within
Council of Trent,
1545
3. Attract New Worshippers by overwhelming them with theatrical art & architecture, drawing them in with emotional power.
2. Stop the Spread of Protestantism
Water Torture during
the Inquisition

3. 1. Reform Within the Church - NOTES
The Council of Trent ( ) –meetings to discuss reform & define dogma (official teachings)
Many teachings were not changed, & were instead reinforced; the ideas of the Protestants were rejected
Some areas were actually reformed
education of priests
Improved discipline and administration
Indulgences were banned

4. 2. Stopping the Spread of Protestantism - NOTES

5. 2. Stopping the Spread of Protestantism - NOTES
The Society of Jesus: The Jesuits
A religious group founded by Ignatius Loyola in 1540
Promoted education – schools & universities (Gonzaga)
Famous for missionary work

6. 2. Stopping the Spread of Protestantism
The Inquisition
Why?
To discover heretics (mostly Jews and Muslims, but also Protestants), reinforce Catholic doctrine, and prove the power of the Church
When?
1400s-1800s
Where?
Mostly Spain and Italy
It was most notorious in Spain
(These places were strongholds of
Catholicism)
How?
The accused were put
on trial and were guilty
until proven innocent…
Torture was used to elicit
confessions

7. 2. Stopping the Spread of Protestantism
Index (List) of Banned Books
Created in 1559 by the Pope
Purpose was to ensure books were morally correct
Banned both Protestant literature and texts by some intellectuals, like Erasmus
Click on this link to see the list:

8. 3. Attracting New Worshippers
Called Baroque Art
Began in Rome around 1600
Catholic Popes financed magnificent new cathedrals and grand works to display the faith’s triumphant Counter Reformation.
Movement, light, and emotion characterized painting, sculpture, and architecture, particularly religious architecture.

9. Caravaggio: David with the Head of Goliath, 1609-1610 oil/canvas, Galleria Borghese, Rome
Sophisticated use of chiaroscuro & increased theatricality.
Goliath’s head is a self-portrait.

10. Bernini: David, 1623-24, Marble, Galleria Borghese, Rome

12. Bernini: The Ecstasy of St
Bernini: The Ecstasy of St. Theresa, , Marble, Santa Maria della Vitoria, Rome
Using theatrical stage craft, Bernini was able to induce an intense religious experience in worshippers by creating not only the statue but the chapel and all the decorations that surround it.

14. Bernini’s Piazza of St. Peter’s, 1656-57
The Plaza was designed to imitate two arms reaching out from St. Peters to embrace the the pilgrims visiting the Vatican.

16. Was the Counter-Reformation a success?
The Church did not win back many of the “lost souls” that had converted to Protestantism…
But, it did win back many lapsed Catholics, shed its reputation for corruption and it spread widely through missionary work.

17. Europe in 1555

18. Based on the divisions on the preceding map, can you predict what will happen in Europe next?
Massive bloodshed and warfare as members of the different religions battle with each other.