-
1440
The printing press
The printing press, invented by Gutenberg in the 1440s. It allowed for mass production of books, making them cheaper and more accessible. It spread ideas quickly, boosting literacy and education, and played a key role in movements like the Renaissance and Reformation because they could make more churches for educate more and more people. -
1517
Martin Luthers 95 Theses
Martin Luther's 95 Theses were written in 1517, then pinned to the church doors. his theses criticized the Catholic Church's indulgences and called for reformation and change. Luther argued that life came through faith alone, not through purchasing forgiveness, and challenged the authority of the Pope. His theses sparked debate, leading to the Protestant Reformation. -
1521
Pope banishes Martin Luther
in 1521, Pope Leo X banished Martin Luther after Luther refused to take his 95 theses off the doors, which criticized Church practices like the sale of indulgences and questioned papal authority, were declared more freedom. His banishing marked a major split between Luther and the Church, becoming the reason for The Protestant Reformation. -
1534
the start of the English Reformation.
Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 after the Pope refused to go forth with his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. This led him to establish the Church of England, making himself the head of the Church. The split from the Catholic Church allowed Henry to remarry and take the church's property, marking the start of the English Reformation. -
1541
The Spread of Protestance
Protestantism spread rapidly in the early 16th century after Martin Luther's Reformation. More people became skeptical of Catholic beliefs. The movement led to the formation of new churches and significant societal changes across Europe. -
1545
The Start of The Council of Trent 1545-1563
The Council of Trent was held from 1545 to 1563, was an important meeting of the Catholic Church to address issues from the Protestant Reformation. It validated Catholic beliefs, and talked about the violent fight. -
1555
The Peace of Augsburg
The Peace of Augsburg was signed in 1555 and allowed German princes to choose Protestance or Catholicism as their religion, helping to end religious conflicts from the Protestant Reformation and granting legal recognition to Protestant in the Holy Roman Empire. -
Aug 24, 1572
The Saint Bartholomew's Day massacre
The Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre took place on August 24, 1572, in France during the French Wars of Religion. Thousands of French Protestants were killed by Catholic mobs in Paris and other cities after the assassination of a Protestant leader. This crated a major turning point in the conflict between Catholics and Protestants, leading to more violence and a deeper religious separation in France. -
Early 16th Centry
Calls for reform begin, with Martin Luther criticizing the Catholic Church's practices. -
The Thirty Years' War ends 1618-1648
The Thirty Years' War ends with the Peace of Westphalia, which grants religious tolerance across the majority of Europe.