Paper Summary:

This paper clearly interprets event and actions leading up the German and English reformations of the 16th century. It begins on the topic of Germany and its catalyst feudal systems and religious overlords, and goes on to study the works of martin Luther and his conniving methods and perseverance to proceed with his reformation through his 95-theses to eventually win the hearts of fed up peasants, merchants growing rich off the New World, greedy nobility, and challenge the authority of the Church and Pope. This paper also discusses the reformation of England started by King Henry VIII. It discusses in detail how Henry VIII invented his own hybrid religion, infused it into his own country to build national unity and to suit his own desires, and was excommunicated from the Catholic Church all while making himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England. This paper looks at societal cause and effects such as the printing press which allowed lower classes to become more educated, bible translations to common languages that allowed the lower classes to step past the clergy to speak freely with God, new merchant opportunities in the New World, and political gains of money and land.

From the Paper:

"In Sixteenth-century Europe, the material world was becoming increasingly distinct and spiritual ideals more confused, as the printing press spread information and humanist studies inspired ideas of doctrinal difference. The nations were becoming even more conscious of their nationalities, and the faithful were pained about the short comings of society and of the church. From the beginning the impulse to reform the Church had mingled with political currents. The spiritual impulse was dominated by dynastic intrigue, greed, and war, and in the end national politics determined the fate of the Reformation all over Europe. What began in a mood of spiritual piety had its triumph in the rearrangement of secular power."

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