Lutheranism Research Paper

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Politics played a pivotal role in the establishment of Lutheranism. As Luther’s ideas were gaining popularity, the Protestant Reformation began. Luther’s ideas eventually formed a sect of Christianity known as Lutheranism. Lutheranism gained popularity amongst humanists and university students. When the Catholic Church’s power began to decline, Charles V attempted to salvage the remaining power. He wanted to preserve the church and unite the Holy Roman Empire by merging all the city-states into one big country. The different heads of state and the princes within the Holy Roman Empire disliked Charles V’s idea, because it would take power out of their hands. Thus, the princes started supporting Lutheranism because it was the only opposition to the Catholic Church and Charles V’s plan. In …show more content…

The different princes and heads of state banded together and formed the Schmalkaldic League. The Schmalkaldic League was a Lutheranism alliance between the different cities’ princes’ to work and fight together if they were ever attacked by Charles V. As an attempt to solve the conflict that arose early during the Reformation, a temporary arrangement was proposed between the different heads of state and Charles V at the Diet of Augsburg. Charles V attempted to persuade the Lutherans on coming back to the Catholic Church and asked the princes if they would allow Roman Catholicism or Lutheranism to be practiced within their regions. It was a temporary settlement that led to the Schmalkaldic Wars, which lasted a year. The Schmalkaldic Wars was an ongoing clash between Charles V and the Schmalkaldic League. Despite the League’s loss in the war, Lutheranism still spread and gained more popularity. Lutheranism in German politics resulted in equal legal rights for Lutherans and Roman Catholics. German leaders also chose the religion of its land, rather than a Church imposing its rule and power over

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