Protestant Reformation

  • Erasmus' "In Praise of Folly"
    Jan 1, 1509

    Erasmus' "In Praise of Folly"

    A humorous and effective criticism on the corrupt practices of the Catholic church in the words of the main character, Folly.
  • Martin Luther's 95 Theses
    Oct 31, 1517

    Martin Luther's 95 Theses

    A list of ninety-five complaints about the sale of indulgences and the corruption in the Catholic church.
  • Leipzig Debate
    Jun 1, 1519

    Leipzig Debate

    Catholic Theologan, Johann Eck, compares Martin Luther's work to John Hus, a heretic who was burned at the stake.
  • Diet of Worms
    Apr 16, 1521

    Diet of Worms

    The debate were Martin Luther was forced to recant the Ninety-Five Theses and refused.
  • German Peasants' War
    Jun 1, 1524

    German Peasants' War

    The peasants wanted to be relieved from serfdom and when they were denied, they revolted against the higher social classes using Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses as an excuse..
  • Colloquy At Marburg
    Oct 1, 1529

    Colloquy At Marburg

    Ulrich Zwingli and Martin Luther met to create an alliance between one another but did not after a dispute over the meaning of the Lord's Supper.
  • Act of Supremacy
    Nov 1, 1534

    Act of Supremacy

    Used to get king Henry VIII out of his marrage, it declared him the only supreme head on earth of the Church of England.
  • Ecclesiastical Ordinances
    Jan 1, 1541

    Ecclesiastical Ordinances

    John Calvin's new church constition is accepted by the Council in Geneva.
  • The Council of Trent
    Mar 1, 1545

    The Council of Trent

    From 1545 to 1563, the council was held to resolve the differences created by the Protestant revolt, but in the end opposed the ideas of Protestantism and prefered the ideas of Catholicism.
  • Schmalkaldic Wars
    Jul 10, 1546

    Schmalkaldic Wars

    Charles V wanted to unite the Holy Roman Empire under Catholicism but the Protestant Princes united in the Schmalkaldic League did not and defended each other from Charles V's troops.
  • Peace of Augsburg
    Sep 25, 1555

    Peace of Augsburg

    Ended the conflict between German Catholics and Lutherans and gave princes the right to decide the religion of their territories.
  • Elizabethan Religious Settlement
    Jan 1, 1559

    Elizabethan Religious Settlement

    Made Elizabeth I "the only suprerme governor of this realm, as well in all spiritual and or ecclesiastical things or causes" and repealed Mary I's Catholic legislation.
  • The French Wars of Religion
    Mar 1, 1562

    The French Wars of Religion

    Battle between the French ultra-Catholics and the Huguenots. Religion was more important than politics at the time.
  • Revolt of the Netherlands
    Jan 1, 1566

    Revolt of the Netherlands

    Philip II wanted to increase his influence in the Netherlands but the Dutch Calvinist nobles did not want to loose power. Philip II responded by sending 10,000 troops to stop the rebellion.
  • Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre
    Aug 24, 1572

    Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre

    The slaughter of huguenots caused by the marriage of the sister of the Valois King Charles IX to Henry of Navarre (Henry IV).
  • Elizibeth I Defeats the Spanish Armada

    Elizibeth I Defeats the Spanish Armada

    Philip II sent an armada to invade England but was ultimately crushed by England's advanced navy and weapons.
  • Thirty Years' War

    Thirty Years' War

    Divided into four phases, the war was started as a religious war and ended as a conflict for power. It is also refered to as the last of the religious wars in Europe.
  • Peace of Westphalia

    Peace of Westphalia

    Ended the Thirty Years' War, ensured all German states to determine their own religion, and separated politics from religion.