reformation timeline ap euro

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  • Period: 1309 to 1377

    Babylonian Captivity (Avignon Papacy)

    The papacy was moved from Rome to Avignon, France. Weakened papal authority and prestige, creating distrust in the Church.
  • Period: 1378 to 1417

    The Great Schism

    Multiple men claimed to be pope at once. This deepened divisions in the Church and fueled calls for reform.
  • 1415

    Jan Hus Executed

    Czech reformer who criticized Church corruption was burned at the stake. His execution made him a martyr for later reformers.
  • 1450

    Gutenberg Invents the Movable-Type Printing Press

    Revolutionized communication by making books (including the Bible) more widely available, spreading reformist ideas quickly.
  • Period: 1509 to 1547

    Reign of Henry VIII (England)

    Broke from Rome, establishing the Anglican Church largely for political and personal reasons.
  • 1517

    Johann Tetzel Selling Indulgences

    Tetzel’s sale of indulgences outraged Martin Luther and triggered his protest.
  • Oct 31, 1517

    Luther Posts the 95 Theses

    Luther nailed his criticisms of indulgences and Church corruption to the Wittenberg church door, sparking the Protestant Reformation.
  • 1521

    Diet of Worms

    Luther was ordered to recant but refused, declaring his conscience bound to God’s word. He was declared an outlaw but gained support from German princes.
  • Period: 1524 to 1525

    German Peasants’ Revolt

    Inspired partly by Reformation ideas, peasants rebelled against their lords. Luther opposed the revolt, showing his reliance on political leaders for reform.
  • 1529

    Marburg Colloquy

    Meeting between Luther and Zwingli to unite reform movements. They agreed on many doctrines but divided over the Lord’s Supper, keeping Protestantism split.
  • 1534

    Act of Supremacy

    Declared Henry VIII head of the Church of England, separating from Rome.
  • Period: 1542 to 1563

    Council of Trent

    The Catholic Church’s response to the Reformation (Counter-Reformation). Reaffirmed Catholic doctrine and reformed some practices.
  • 1549

    Book of Common Prayer (England)

    Introduced under Edward VI, standardized Protestant worship in England.
  • Period: 1552 to 1558

    Reign of Mary Tudor

    Tried to restore Catholicism in England. Her persecution of Protestants earned her the nickname "Bloody Mary."
  • Period: 1552 to

    Reign of William of Orange (the Silent)

    Led the Dutch Revolt against Spain, playing a key role in Dutch independence and Protestant resistance.
  • 1555

    Peace of Augsburg

    Established that German princes could choose Lutheranism or Catholicism (“cuius regio, eius religio”), but no other faiths were recognized.
  • Period: 1556 to

    Reign of Elizabeth I (England)

    Stabilized Protestantism in England with a moderate Anglican settlement.
  • 1558

    Defeat of the Spanish Armada

    England (under Elizabeth I) defeated Spain’s Armada, securing Protestant England against Catholic reconquest.
  • Period: 1562 to

    French Wars of Religion

    Series of conflicts between Catholics and Huguenots (French Protestants).
  • Period: 1563 to 1564

    Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion

    Calvin’s major theological work, shaping Reformed (Calvinist) Protestant thought.
  • 1565

    Jesuits Formed (Society of Jesus)

    Founded by Ignatius Loyola, the Jesuits became key leaders in the Catholic Counter-Reformation, spreading Catholicism worldwide.
  • Period: 1569 to

    Dutch Revolt (Eighty Years’ War)

    Rebellion of the Netherlands against Spanish (Catholic) rule, tied to religious freedom and political independence.
  • 1571

    Union of Utrecht

    Alliance of northern Dutch provinces, laying the foundation for the Dutch Republic and religious toleration.
  • 1571

    39 Articles (England)

    Defined the doctrines of the Church of England, establishing a Protestant yet moderate theological foundation.
  • 1572

    Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

    Mass killing of French Huguenots in Paris, deepening Catholic-Protestant hostility.
  • Edict of Nantes (France)

    Issued by Henry IV, granted Huguenots religious toleration and civil rights.
  • Period: to

    Thirty Years’ War

    A devastating conflict in the Holy Roman Empire, beginning as a religious war between Protestants and Catholics but expanding into a broader European war.
  • Revocation of the Edict of Nantes

    Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes, ending religious toleration in France and leading to persecution of Protestants (Huguenots).