Protestant Reformation

  • Jan 1, 1509

    Erasmus' "In Praise of Folly"

    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.
  • Oct 31, 1517

    Martin Luther's 95 Theses

    Martin Luther's 95 Theses
    A list of ninety-five complaints about the sale of indulgences and the corruption in the Catholic church.
  • Jun 1, 1519

    Leipzig Debate

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

    Diet of Worms

    Diet of Worms
    The debate were Martin Luther was forced to recant the Ninety-Five Theses and refused.
  • Jun 1, 1524

    German Peasants' War

    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..
  • Oct 1, 1529

    Colloquy At Marburg

    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.
  • Nov 1, 1534

    Act of Supremacy

    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.
  • Jan 1, 1541

    Ecclesiastical Ordinances

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

    The Council of Trent

    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.
  • Jul 10, 1546

    Schmalkaldic Wars

    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.
  • Sep 25, 1555

    Peace of Augsburg

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

    Elizabethan Religious Settlement

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I "the only suprerme governor of this realm, as well in all spiritual and or ecclesiastical things or causes" and repealed Mary I's Catholic legislation.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

    The French Wars of Religion

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

    Revolt of the Netherlands

    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.
  • Aug 24, 1572

    Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre

    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.