Back to the video list: German History
After Martin Luther's Reformation the Roman Curch and especially the Habsburg dynasty tried to re-catholise the Holy Roman Empire and Europe. This process lasted over centuries from 1545 bis 1781.
Also of interest could be the following video documentaries:
Video
Overview
- Date: 1545 – 1781
- Location: Holy Roman Empire
- Start: Council of Trent
- End: Patent of Tolerance by Joseph II
Parties & Persons Involved
- Society of Jesus
- Holy Roman Empire with emperor & territorial princes
- Additionally: further European powers
Background
- The Protestant faith is established in wide parts of the Holy Roman Empire after Martin Luther’s reformation
- The Protestant territories strive after more independence
- The authority of the emperor decreases
- The emperor faces growing difficulties to justify his position as overlord of the empire
- Need for reforms in the Catholic church
History
Theological Dimension of the Counter-Reformation
- From 1534: Ignatius of Loyola establishes the Society of Jesus – main objectives: strict orientation towards the Bible (see Luther), but also absolute discipline to church & pope
- From around 1550: Jesuits spread that the salvation exclusively lies within the Catholic church – through sermon, literature, theatre & education
- 1545-1563: Council of Trent leads to reforms of the Catholic church which esp. strengthen the role of pastoral care (amongst others system of indulgences, episcopate & training of priests)
Political Dimension of the Counter-Reformation
- 1531: Establishment of the Schmalkaldic League & growing tensions between emperor & imperial estates
- 1546-1547: Schmalkaldic War – Emperor defeats the Protestants & gains influence
- 1555: Augsburg Settlement – Cuius regio eius religio
- From 1576: Oppression of Protestants, esp. in the Habsburg ancestral lands
- 1583-1588: War of Cologne – Cologne & other northern territories remain Catholic & allies of the emperor
- 1618-1648: Thirty Years’ War
- 1781: Patent of Tolerance by Joseph II – End of the counter-reformation
Consequences & Impact
- Long-term establishment of Protestant & Catholic areas in Germany / Europe
- The German states gain power whilst the emperor loses influence
- The denominations are less important in the further development of Germany
- First precondition for the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire