Reformation

​European politics were greatly influenced by reformation and religious wars. Europe was in a fragile state, and up until the 1600’s Europeans turned to religion as an answer to turmoil. However, after the renaissance period, Europeans obtained knowledge that challenged traditional doctrines and theology. It just so happens to be that at this time the Papal authority was also being challenged.  
​Martin Luther made a major contribution in the reformation of and religious wars in Europe. He challenged Catholicism by openly defying the pope and its clergy. He did so by open displays of badgering the pope and its clergy. He wanted Europeans to understand that the pope and clergy are fallible and the highest authority for an individual’s conscience was the bible. Luther denied that priests, monks, and nuns had any special spiritual qualities by virtue of their vocations.
​This intrigued Europeans because they were in a time of turmoil. As previously stated, during turmoil the church is a place for comfort. Also during this time in Europe the pope and Catholic Church were the rulers. It ruled over the Europeans. The fact that Luther challenged it changed the minds of some people and they went against Papal authority. This limited the Papacy, therefore effecting politics.
​Politics is a term generally applied to running governmental or state affairs, including behavior. During the periods of 1540-1660, the government in Europe was seeking money and/or religious uniformity. They tried to do so with a firmer hand that provoked armed resistance from Europeans who were trying to preserve their traditional constitutional liberties, thus creating a long hull of religious wars.
​The religious wars lasted between the years 1540-1660. The ending of the wars caused an imbalance in power within the major kingdoms of Western Europe. The beheading of Charles I resulted in the hereditary House of Lords being abolished. England then became a republic. The new form of government,... [continues]

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