When it first began in the 14th century, the Renaissance initiated a renewal of classical art, literature, and ways of thinking. The rebirth of countless ideas and rationales greatly impacted Europe and its evolution. No system of thought had more of an impact than humanism, which shaped society during the Renaissance and into the 15th and 16th centuries. The birth of humanism inspired a significant increase in secular thinking and an heightened importance of education, which galvanized many Europeans into taking action against oppression.
Preceding the Renaissance and the birth of humanism, every aspect of life with controlled by or devoted to the Roman Catholic Church. Europe was united in Christendom, the pope was infallible, and the papacy had control over both spiritual and temporal matters. Popes and cardinals anointed kings and peasants lived and died for the papacy. The Roman Catholic Church also monopolized education. Monasteries were centers of …show more content…
The notion of secularism became more common and monarchies began to centralize. Once divided feudal nations became powerful national monarchies. Partly due to the rise of humanistic thinking, the Roman Catholic church lost considerable political authority, although it still retained much of its original power. Humanists, such as Erasmus and Ulrich Zwingli, were also major contributors to the Reformation. Cries for religious reforms challenged papal authority and caused many conflicts between Protestant reformers and the Roman Catholic Church. Reformation also inspired the Counter-Reformation, in which the Catholic church was forced to crack down on Protestants everywhere. In the end, the church lost some political power. Subsequently were the religious wars that ensued throughout Europe. Protestants were fighting for religious recognition. Catholicism remained the dominant religion throughout Europe, but was weakened by decades of conflict induced by
Preceding the Renaissance and the birth of humanism, every aspect of life with controlled by or devoted to the Roman Catholic Church. Europe was united in Christendom, the pope was infallible, and the papacy had control over both spiritual and temporal matters. Popes and cardinals anointed kings and peasants lived and died for the papacy. The Roman Catholic Church also monopolized education. Monasteries were centers of …show more content…
The notion of secularism became more common and monarchies began to centralize. Once divided feudal nations became powerful national monarchies. Partly due to the rise of humanistic thinking, the Roman Catholic church lost considerable political authority, although it still retained much of its original power. Humanists, such as Erasmus and Ulrich Zwingli, were also major contributors to the Reformation. Cries for religious reforms challenged papal authority and caused many conflicts between Protestant reformers and the Roman Catholic Church. Reformation also inspired the Counter-Reformation, in which the Catholic church was forced to crack down on Protestants everywhere. In the end, the church lost some political power. Subsequently were the religious wars that ensued throughout Europe. Protestants were fighting for religious recognition. Catholicism remained the dominant religion throughout Europe, but was weakened by decades of conflict induced by