The Role of the German Princes: Explain how far you agree with the view that Luther's success depended on the princes. ... In this respect Luther's success depended entirely on the Princes. ... The princes as a whole could not agree whether to enforce the Edict of Worms and so allowed each Prince to make their own decision. ... Luther considered that for his ideas to be successful they needed strong leadership from the Princes. ... Luther's ideas carried severe political implications; had Luther supported the rebellion he would have lost all support from the Princes, Luther ...

• Word Count: 686
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Charles V's failure to control the princes was the most significant factor in the spread of Lutheranism. ... The Edict was seldom enforced by the Princes and their public defiance of Charles V's order suggests Charles was in no way in control of the princes. ... The princes had huge successes which allowed them to gain confidence and support of other neutral princes. ... In 1541 Charles finally gained support of the Catholic princes and so managed to control some of the princes under his military campaign. ... Overall Charles V's failure to control the princes did result in the ...

• Word Count: 786
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In both The Prince and The Discourses, Machiavelli firmly opposed the ambitions of the papacy, emperor, and foreign rulers who created chaos in Italy. ... Machiavelli viewed religion as a useful instrument for princes to rule a civilized state. ... In "Friendly Admonition to Peace," Luther supported the peasants' declaration of the injustices done to them by the princes, their rulers. Luther substantiated this because the princes did not rule under God's word when they did not allow the peasants the right to hear the gospel or choose their pastors. ...

• Word Count: 1464
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In its two-thousand year history Christianity has faced many challenges that forced changes in its belief or organization. Perhaps one of the greatest challenges occurred when Martin Luther posted his ninety-five theses on that parish church door in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, putting the churc...

• Word Count: 597
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In the first half of the 16th century, Western Europe experienced a wide range of social, artistic and geographically political changes that created conflict within the Holy Roman Empire. This conflict is called the Protestant Reformation, a religious and political movement that gave birth to Prote...

• Word Count: 2755
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

What were Martin Luthers Criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church? Discuss the Impact these Criticisms had on Europe in the 16th Century. Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a German theologian who dared to challenge the Roman Catholic Church and consequently had a massive impact on Europe in the 16th ...

• Word Count: 1101
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church was "the most powerful institution to be found anywhere in Europe." (Crompton 9) Prior to the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Church affected almost every aspect of daily life and was once the highest power in all of Europe. The Catholic Church was ab...

• Word Count: 1465
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

"In brief, go whither you will, among prelates, princes, judges, magistrates, friends, enemies, from highest to lowest, and you'll find all things done by money; which, as a wise man condemns it, so it takes a special care not to come near him" (Radice, electronic version). ...

• Word Count: 1530
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate