1. The Counter-
Reformation
Response • Catholicism responded to the
Protestant Reformation with:
1. Political Pressure
2. Religious Pressure
What were the two types of
responses to the Protestant
Reformation?

2. The Counter-
Reformation
Political Pressure
• Through the influence of the
Catholic Church, and concern over
the stability of the Holy Roman
Empire, Emperor Charles V declared
war on any Germanic kingdom that
converted to Protestant beliefs.
• The war achieved little, and
eventually the emperor had to sign
the Peace of Augsburg, allowing
Germanic kingdoms to decide their
religious affiliation and force their
subjects to convert.
What was the result of Emperor
Charles V’s war against
Protestant kingdoms in
Germany.

3. The Counter-
Reformation
Political Pressure • Northern German kingdoms
(where the Reformation began)
remained Protestant, while
Southern German kingdoms
remained Catholic.
• Other countries, like England and
Spain, struggled with internal
conflict over religious identity.
How was Christianity divided in
Germany after the Peace of
Augsburg?

4. The Counter-
Reformation
Political Pressure
• England: When Mary became Queen
she tried to forcefully return England
back to Catholicism.
• This persecution of Protestants
earned her the name of “Bloody
Mary”, and she ultimately failed.
• Spain: a religious and political
court, called the Inquisition, that
would punish heresy.
• The Spanish Inquisition was largely
successful at keeping order in Spain.
What was the end result of
religious conflict in England?
How did Spain manage to
control religious conflict?

5. The Counter-
Reformation
Effects of Political
Pressure
• Political pressure was largely
unsuccessful at bringing Protestant
kingdoms back to Catholicism.
• 2 reasons why:
–Protestant kingdoms gained:
1. political freedom (kings/lord
did not have to follow the
Church)
2. economic wealth (claimed
Church lands for themselves).
What were the political and
economic benefits to
becoming a Protestant
kingdom?

6. The Counter-
Reformation
Religious Pressure • After political attempts to reunite
Christianity failed, the Catholic
Church began an effort to reform
itself, known as the Counter
Reformation.
• A major part of the Counter
Reformation was the Council of
Trent, begun by Pope Paul III.
After political attempts to
reunite Christianity
failed, what did the Catholic
Church try to do to next?
What did Pope Paul III begin
that was a major part of the
Counter Reformation?

7. The Counter-
Reformation
Religious Pressure • Council of Trent:
1. Established more seminaries for
the proper training of priests.
2. Ended the sale of indulgences
3. Reaffirmed and clarified Catholic
beliefs while rejecting Protestant
beliefs
4. Confirmed the creation of new
religious orders like the Jesuits.
What are the four major
features of the Council of
Trent?

8. The Counter-
Reformation
Religious Pressure
• The Society of Jesus (the Jesuits)
• This new religious order was an
order dedicated to education and
the spread of Catholic Christianity.
• The Jesuits would become famous
for their missionary work
throughout the entire world
(especially in Asia and the
Americas).
What is the Society of Jesus
and why were they
important for the Catholic
Church?

9. The Counter-
Reformation
Effects of Religious
Pressure
• The Counter Reformation
successfully ended the flow of
people leaving the Catholic
Church, but saw few return to the
Church.
• Wars between nation-states and
kingdoms continued over religious
identity (the Thirty Year’s War)
• Europe was primarily split into two
camps, Protestant North and
Catholic South. The Protestants in
the North were even more divided
by different denominations.
How was the Counter
Reformation
successful/failure?
By the end of the
Reformation and Counter
Reformation, how was
Europe divided?

11. 1. What were the two types of responses to the Protestant Reformation?
2. What was the result of Emperor Charles V’s war against Protestant kingdoms in
Germany.
3. How was Christianity divided in Germany after the Peace of Augsburg?
4. What was the end result of religious conflict in England?
5. How did Spain manage to control religious conflict?
6. What were the political and economic benefits to becoming a Protestant
kingdom?
7. After political attempts to reunite Christianity failed, what did the Catholic Church
try to do to next?
8. What did Pope Paul III begin that was a major part of the Counter Reformation?
9. What are the four major features of the Council of Trent?
10. What is the Society of Jesus and why were they important for the Catholic
Church?
11. How was the Counter Reformation successful/failure?
12. By the end of the Reformation and Counter Reformation, how was Europe
divided?