5.3.1

The Counter-Reformation in Europe

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The Counter-Reformation in Europe

In response to the Protestant Reformation, Catholics were driving a ‘Counter-Reformation’.

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Aim of the Counter-Reformation

  • The Counter-Reformation aimed to reform the Catholic Church from within.
  • Reformers such as Girolamo Savonarola (a monk) had tried to reform the Church.
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Creation of religious orders

  • New religious orders were formed in the Catholic Church. They wanted to bring the Catholic Church back to its original spirituality and move away from its corruption.
  • The Society of Jesuits were one of the most famous religious orders.
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The Jesuits

  • The Jesuits were founded in 1534. The Pope approved the order in 1539.
  • The Jesuits focussed on education and wanted to use it to fight the Protestant Reformation.
  • The Jesuits set up schools and universities to train priests.
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The Council of Trent

  • The Council of Trent was held in 1545 and continued until 1563.
  • The council, organised by Pope Paul III, aimed to reform the Catholic Church.
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The Council of Trent’s Reforms

  • Reforms included:
    • Better training for priests (creating schools called ‘seminaries’).
    • Abolishing indulgences.
    • Punishing corrupt clergymen.
  • The Council of Trent rejected the doctrine of Protestantism and refused to compromise between it and Catholicism.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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