1. The Counter-Reformation
By Mrs. Lauterhahn
World Civilizations

2. Reforming the Catholic Church
Protestants weren’t the only ones unhappy with the Catholic Church. So were some Catholics.
Some Catholics worked on the Counter Reformation: making internal changes to the Catholic Church

3. People involved in Counter Reformation
Girolamo Savanarola – he preached about abuses of the church in the 1400’s
Called for the Church to melt silver and gold to pay to feed the hungry
Convinced followers to burn jewelry and trinkets in a huge fire called Bonfires of the Vanities
Church first allowed him to work, but then excommunicated him and had him executed in WHY??? Because the Church feared he might become too powerful (ideas were dangerous).

4. The Jesuits Also called the Society of Jesus
Put a new emphasis on spirituality and service
Founded in 1534 by Ignatius of Loyola (former soldier)
He ran it like the military – emphasis on obedience to the church
Emphasis on education – believed that mind was a powerful weapon in fight against Protestantism
This helped Catholics regain ground and lots of bloody wars between Catholics and Protestants
Lots of missionary work – people going around the world to convert others to Catholicism.

5. Council of Trent Idea was to redefine doctrines of the Catholic faith
Took place on and off for 16 years
Officials were led by Pope Paul III
Goals of Council: look at what Protestants are complaining about in regards to Catholic Church AND simplify church teachings.

6. Council of Trent cont’d
Church admitted cardinals and bishops were corrupt and started investigating it
Started training priests to end financial abuse
To end financial abuse, they get rid of indulgences.
At the end of their meetings, they renounce Protestant beliefs of individual spirituality and self-discipline

7. Council of Trent, cont’d
Council argued that church could help believers achieve salvation by using mystery and ceremonies to inspire faith. This was consistent with the beliefs of millions of people.

8. There is NO resolution between the 2 religious groups (Protestants and Catholics)
The Council was successful in creating renewed interest in the Catholic Church
Austria, Poland and some other European countries return to the Catholic Church
They did establish many colleges and universities in Europe by the 1700’s

9. Who Helped Carry Out the Reforms?
Charles Borromeo – he was the archbishop of Milan and built schools that were designed just to educate priests
Frances of Sales – did missionary work and wanted to educate women because the women will teach their children to become better Catholics. He converted people from Calvinism.

10. Women Life before the Renaissance: Life after the Renaissance: Clean
Cook
Take care of children and house
NO reading, writing or traveling
Life after the Renaissance:
Women begin to play a role in church
Nuns take care of children, the sick, the poor

11. Women’s Groups
Company of St. Ursula – group of women that teach girls how to do housework, cook, healthcare (how to be a mother)
Visitation of Holy Mary – group of schools that train women to become teachers – they are teaching lower level education
Mary Ward – designed group of schools for girls. Church didn’t like this; saw her as radical and dangerous
Teresa de Avila – decided that Church policies are too lenient so she starts the Carmelite Order – they are very strict and live a very simple life.

12. The Roman Inquisition
This is a Church Court that questions people they think are breaking church laws:
Martin Luther
Protestants
Heretics
Accused Witches (people in touch with nature more than religion)

13. Roman Inquisition cont’d
There is NO trial – they just try to make people confess to whatever they are accused of
They get them to confess through torture
Index of Forbidden Books: list of books the Catholic Church says you cannot read. If you read them, you will go to Hell and lose your soul.
Protestants used the Inquisition to make the point that the Catholic Church still has huge problems and didn’t change anything

14. Religious Effects
Because of religious persecution (punishing, torturing) of religious beliefs, Protestants in Europe decide to leave Europe and go to North America (Puritans, Pilgrims, Quakers)
Different branches of Protestantism are formed:
Lutheran
Anabaptist
Calvinists
Anglican
This paves the way for religious freedom, especially in the United States

15. Social Effects
Catholics and Protestants, including Martin Luther, do not like Jews and Muslims
They told Muslims in Spain to convert to Christianity or leave Spain or die
Jews were confined to ghettos and stripped of possessions and dignity
What are ghettos?
Many people feared that witches roamed land and killed children, cattle, worked with the devil, etc. They were tried and sentenced to death. Many innocent victims were killed.

16. Religious Wars 1494: King Charles VIII of France invades Italy
This begins a series of wars for control of Italy
ITALIAN WARS:
France and Spain both fought for control of Italy
England even got involved
In 1527 Charles V of Spain carried out a military event with the sack of Rome
1559 – the Wars finally ended, but the Wars were credited with expanding the Italian Renaissance. HOW???

17. Conflict Amongst the Germans
New ideas about the Renaissance moved through Germany
This made peasants aware of how unhappy they were because of high taxes and lack of power
Reformation preachers discussed the idea of freedom and this increased the dissent amongst the peasants.
Thousands of German peasants stormed castles and monasteries.
This Rebellion was known as the Peasant’s War.

18. Peasant’s War Nobles used harsh force to suppress the peasants
Martin Luther was accused of starting the riot, although he denied it, saying the peasants “rob and rage and act like mad dogs”
He refused to join the rebellion
Charles V (Holy Roman Emperor) began a holy war against Protestantism by attacking the Lutheran Princes in Germany

19. This was ended by the Peace of Augsburg (Charles V didn’t show up)
Allowed each prince to choose the religion he wanted his subjects to practice (only choices were Catholicism and Lutheranism) and subjects had no choice in the matter
Paved the way for more religious unrest to come

20. Conflicts Between Religions
France: The Huguenots (Protestant minority) fought against Catholicism
Fighting ended when their leader, Henry of Navarre converted to Catholicism
Conversion led to political stability (Catholics accepted him as king)
1598 Edict of Nantes granted religious freedom to Protestants