The Reformation

The Reformation was a major 16th-century movement aimed at reforming the Catholic Church's practices and beliefs. It was sparked by figures like Martin Luther, who criticized issues such as corruption and the sale of indulgences. Luther's posting of his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517 is often seen as the start of the movement. The Reformation led to the rise of Protestantism, resulting in various new denominations, including Lutheranism and Calvinism. This period significantly altered Christianity, encouraged individual interpretation of the Bible, and had profound social, political, and cultural impacts across Europe.