The spirit of inquiry of the Renaissance, as well as the existence of widespread abuses of the Church, led to new challenges to the Pope’s authority.  The Church had vast power, but also suffered from corruption.  Some Church officials used their positions for self-enrichment.  People such as Erasmus and Sir Thomas Moore sought reform within the Church.

        In 1517, Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses on a church door in Wittenberg, Germany.  His theses questioned the Roman Catholic Church’s teachings and called for reforms.  Wittenberg is a city in the Northeastern region of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation.  

In 1518 Rome demanded that Luther recant, and after a number of meetings and writings, pope Leo X issued Exsurge Domine, threatening him with excommunication. After Friedrich the Wise demanded that Luther be given an opportunity to defend himself before being outlawed, he appeared before the newly elected Emperor, Karl V (Charles V) at the Diet of Worms in April 1521.  Luther stated before the Diet the following:

“I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God.  I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience.  I cannot do otherwise, here I stand, may God help me.  Amen.”

Martin Luther, quoted in The Protestant Reformation by Louis W. Spitz

You have been selected to investigate a potential problem for the Catholic Church.  The Pope has heard many rumors of people starting to question the authority of the church.  If this is true, it could have grave consequences for us all.  I have entrusted your group to identify the sources of trouble, and to investigate their actions. Your group is to report back to me in a letter explaining what you discovered along with a suggested plan of action.  Accuracy in this mission is essential for the survival of our church organization.

Portrait of Martin Luther

Each member of your group will be responsible for researching one of the following: Martin Luther, John Calvin, King Henry VIII, and Elizabeth I
For each of the persons listed above, you will include the following in your research:

• Explain why the person wanted the Church to change.
• Where the reformers are located (geographically).
• How are they challenging the church, what are they doing?
• How is their religious philosophy different than the Church's?

Once research is complete, your group will write a report/letter to the Pope explaining what you found, and how best to deal with it.

Religious Division within the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation and Europe

1. You will be assigned to a group of 4 for this assignment.

2. Each person in your group will select one person to research: John Calvin, Elizabeth I, Martin Luther, King Henry VIII.

3. You will use one of the following links to gather the information on your reformer:

•  http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar088900&st=john+calvin
• http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar253039&st=henry+viii
• http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar334540&st=martin+luther
• http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar178460&st=elizabeth+i

4. Each person will be responsible for answering the following questions about their reformer:

• Where are the reformers located (geographically)?
• Why are they unhappy with the Catholic Church?
• What are they doing against the Catholic Church?
• How is their religious philosophy different than the Catholic Church?

5. Once all members have answered all of the questions and collected the necessary research, your group will put together a letter to the Pope describing what you found. Your letter must be 6 paragraphs long. One introduction paragraph, a paragraph for each reformer, and a conclusion paragraph that includes a suggested action plan.

6. Items to be turned into the teacher:

• Research from each student in the group
• Final draft letter

Martin Luther Preaching in Germany

Evaluation Rubric 0-20 20-40 40-50 50-60 Score Individual Research. 40 points. Incomplete research, not all questions addressed. Complete research, all questions addressed, clear understanding. Complete research, all questions addressed, clear, well organized, and accurate. Group letter: 60 points Incomplete, missing paragraphs, not organized. Complete letter, minimum information included. Six paragraphs. Complete letter, addresses all questions in research. Six paragraphs. Well developed and complete. Addresses all questions in research, accurate and detailed. Six paragraphs. Total Score: %100

Students should be able to discuss how and where the Reformation began. This activity will also allow students to explain which individuals were largely responsible for the beginning of the Reformation, and have an idea as to how the Catholic Church reacted.
It is a valuable lesson for students to work together in order to create a finished product (letter in this case).

Extension Questions:

• What changes did the Catholic Church make as a result of the Reformtion? (To be studied later).
• What would the world be like if the reformation never occurred?
• What differences exist between religions today?
• Do indulgences exist today within the Catholic Church?

Thanks for Your Participation!

Martin Luther before the German Emperor Karl V (Charles V), The Diet of Worms, 1521

Standard WHII 3:   World History and Geography 1500-Present

Students will demonstrate knowledge of the Reformation in terms of its impact on Western civilization by explaining the effects of theological, political, and economic differences that emerged, including the views and actions of Martin Luther, John Calvin, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.