There are many things that led up to the causes of the religious reformation in the sixteenth century. Some short-term causes are the indulgences that were sold in Germany which were penances that were sold to sinners in order to fill the hole of a sin to make the person complete. This practice was believed to lessen the sinner's time in purgatory and even save the soul of a dead person. Pope Leo X pushed for the sale of more indulgences to get money to rebuild the St. Peter's Basilica. Martin Luther became outraged at the corruption of this practice arguing that the pope was misleading in the issuing of these indulgence, that one cannot conduct enough good deeds get into heaven, and that salvation could not simply be bought. He posted his arguments, the 95 Theses, which he was ready to defend in debate, on the church door the day before All Saint's Day in 1517.
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With the ability to print on cheaper material more and more books were able to reach even poor people during these times. Books were no long a unimaginable luxury to people. Martin Luther's 95 Theses made it to the printing press and was distributed all throughout Germany. People agreed with his ideas and grew discontented with the pope and Church. After going to the Diet of Worms Martin Luther fled for a year where he translated the New Testament of the bible into German allowing people to interpret and read the bible for themselves. Another short-term cause for the religious reformation was reformers themselves where calling for change. Whether it be magistrates, princes of the Holy Roman Empire, or the peasants themselves everyone had their own reason calling for change. For some it was for simplified religion and local control of churches. Some wanted to appoint their own nominees to ecclesiastical offices or implement Luther's reform of
With the ability to print on cheaper material more and more books were able to reach even poor people during these times. Books were no long a unimaginable luxury to people. Martin Luther's 95 Theses made it to the printing press and was distributed all throughout Germany. People agreed with his ideas and grew discontented with the pope and Church. After going to the Diet of Worms Martin Luther fled for a year where he translated the New Testament of the bible into German allowing people to interpret and read the bible for themselves. Another short-term cause for the religious reformation was reformers themselves where calling for change. Whether it be magistrates, princes of the Holy Roman Empire, or the peasants themselves everyone had their own reason calling for change. For some it was for simplified religion and local control of churches. Some wanted to appoint their own nominees to ecclesiastical offices or implement Luther's reform of