Counter Reformation Dbq

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The introduction of Martin Luther and John Calvin in the 16th century brought with it the beginning of the Reformation. The Catholic Church’s response to the Reformation demonstrated the Church’s reaction to Renaissance overall. The Catholic Church needed to draw away all this negativity with a Counter Reformation. To differentiate itself and condemn the principles of Protestantism, Pope Paul III created a council known as the Council of Trent. The Jesuits combined the ideas of traditional monastic discipline with a dedication to teach and preach. For the Catholic Church to remain strong, many changes were needed. A change was needed or the power and the influence that the church was in possession of would be lost. Prompted by the Protestant …show more content…

Those who break these laws shall be punished with the penalties by law established.” The Council persecuted and punished the people who didn’t follow the rules that the church established and were going against the official doctrine of the church. The clergy were overly strict about their imposed laws because they couldn’t have more followers breaking away from the Church at that time. The printing press had a big impact on the way the church handled things because Luther told people to read the bible for themselves and the church didn't want that at all. Also, the Church feared any sort of threat that could rise against them. As Document 4 states, “I recognize the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church as the Mother and mistress of all churches; and I vow and swear true obedience to the Roman Pontiff, the successor of blessed Peter, the chief of the Apostles and representative …show more content…

Religion had to be one of their main concerns. The pope was basically in charge of whatever the Society of Jesus believed, as stated in Document 1, “All the members shall realize that this society is fighting for God under faithful obedience to one most holy lord and the pope.” Whatever the pope kept telling the people must have been true because that’s probably what God wanted, that was their follower’s mindset. The Counter Reformation could be seen as a political movement because of all the laws that were enforced on the people which they had to follow. They were given a set of rules that they had to obey and couldn’t really do anything about

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