Ethan Stokes

European society changed greatly as a result of the Reformation. Social,

political, and economic aspects of society were all impacted in some shape or form
as a result of the Reformation. The Church and the clergy lost the incredible amount
of authority and power they had over the European people. Prior to the Reformation,
Europeans were essentially united as one by the Catholic Church, whatever the
Church told them they were to obey. People were not taught nor allowed to interpret
the bible for themselves. Following the reformation, individualism and interpreting
the bible for ones self was encouraged. However, the Reformation resulted in years
of bloody conflict across the continent of Europe leaving millions dead. Not only was
Europe as a whole plagued by conflict, but countries themselves were divided and
torn by religion.

Politically, the most obvious effect of the Reformation was the loss of power
suffered by the Catholic Church. Further, Church leaders were no longer excluded
from the law. The controversial practice of indulgences was banned, as was the
buying and selling of church offices. The nepotism previously practiced by the
Church also came to a halt. The Reformation also had numerous political
opportunities was King, Monarchs, and Princes alike. With the decline in the power
of the Church, they now gained absolute control over their domains. Power hungry
leaders would jump easily at any opportunity to increase their power and influence.
This meant a long period of was and conflict in Europe, in which millions lost their
lives. During this time, ones religion could determine life or death. The effects of
the Reformation also played an essential role in the rise of nation states. Previously,
people did not really identify themselves as part of a Nation. Their identity was tied
to their small village or possibly region. At this time the idea of a nation state was
very new. The many religious conflicts during the Renaissance did not spark the
creation of nation states, but rather escalated the adoption of this idea. As stated
previously, the Catholic Church had provided Europe with a sense of unification, all
worshipping under the same religion. The introduction of other religions divided
people not only over theology itself, but also other concepts of society such as law
and economics. Now that people had genuinely different values and ideals about
how society should be, conflict was bound to happen.

Along with the reformation came different ideas of how society should
function. One of the biggest impacts from a social standpoint was to the peasantry.
The peasants were initially encouraged by Martin Luthers ideas, however following
the revolt of the Peasants in Germany, Luther then condemned their actions stating
he wanted to be part of a religious revolution, not a social revolution. Women also
became more important than ever before. They were no longer viewed in the
Catholic eyes as Eve or Mary but they were now seen as Mother or Housewife, a

Ethan Stokes
more equal role than ever before. This was a monumental change in the way
women were viewed in European society.