Assess the relative effect of the Protestant Reformation on the nobility, the middle class, the pesantry and women. (Hint: All are social aspects)
The Reformation was a turning point in the history of Europe. Followers of the reformation, also known as Protestants, protested abuses within the Roman Catholic Church. These protest led to a resolution that destroyed the religious unity of Europe and had a massive effect on all Europeans. The Reformation had consequences for every aspect of society, from upper classmen down to peasants and in gender roles.
To start off, the nobility were affected mostly by large independent secular and religious changes throughout the reformation. The attack on indulges influenced the upper class in a huge way. With half of the proceeds being given to the pope, Martin Luther posted his ninety-five thesis against indulgences. In this he objected that indulgences “remitted sins and released unrepentant sinners from punishment in purgatory”, this, he believed, was wrong in the sense that the indulgences made it seem like salvation could be bought and sold.
Another effected group by the reformation was the middle class. Now that the church was limited of their power, the middle class felt more obliged to break away from the status quo and redirect their religious thoughts and rituals. Being able to maneuver towards a more intellectual aspect, the middle class seized the opportunity and grasped a higher form of thinking outside the box.
The Peasants, although unaccepted, had a great deal of effect on them during the Reformation. Although peasants joined the movement in some areas, their revolting attempts were brutally concealed. The peasants initially saw Martin Luther, one of the leading figures throughout the reformation, as an ally. They went about and asked him for support in their demands to end serfdom and for other economic reforms. Luther had condemned the peasants, although he had initially recognized the justice of some of their demands. When they raised his name in their revolt he called them “unChristian”, due to their revolutionary politics. The revolt was crushed, killing thousands of peasants. The reformation evidently opposed of the peasants involvement throughout the entire revolt.
The effect women dealt with throughout the Reformation was quite a great deal. Females suffered by being deprived of the privilege to make any legal transactions at all. The movement had caused for them to lose the opportunity to participate in church services. However, women were given the privilege to divorce and remarry. They also grew more towards an intellectual growth and were able to attain knowledge and carry out onto the study of the vernacular. The Reformation led to an entirely new "Renaissance Man".
