Ch 15-The Struggle for Reformation Europe, 1500-1560 (547-579)

AP FRQ Essays: 

• How and to what extent did the methods and ideals of Renaissance humanism contribute to the Protestant Reformation? (2006 B)
• Analyze the aims, methods, and degree of success of the Catholic Reformation (Counter-Reformation) in the sixteenth century. (2006 A)
• Using examples from at least two different states, analyze the key features of the "new monarchies" and the factors responsible for their rise in the period 1450 to 1550. (2005A)
• Compare and contrast the motives and actions of Martin Luther in the German states and King Henry VIII in England in bringing about religious change during the Reformation. (2005A)
• To what extent did political authorities influence the course of the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century? (2002 B)
• Discuss the political and social consequences of the Protestant Reformation in the first half of the sixteenth century (2001)

Other Potential Essays:

•  Discuss in detail the Henrican Reformation

• How did the disintegration of the medieval church and the coming of the Reformation contribute to the development of nation-states in western Europe between 1450 and 1648?

• Luther was both a revolutionary and a conservative."  Evaluate this statement with respect to Luther's responses to the political and social questions of his day.

• What were the responses of the Catholic authorities of the 16th century to the challenges posed by the Lutheran Reformation?

• Compare and contrast the attitudes of Martin Luther and John Calvin toward political authority and social order.

• "The Protestant Reformation was primarily an economic event."  By describing and determining the relative importance of the economic, political, and religious causes of the Protestant Reformation, defend or refute this statement.

• Describe and analyze the ways in which 16th century Roman Catholics defended their faith against the Protestant Reformation.

• Compare and contrast the Lutheran Reformation and the Catholic Reformation of the 16th century regarding the reform of both religious doctrines and religious practices.

• Describe and analyze the ways that the development of printing both the culture and religion of Europe during the period 1450-1600.

• Evaluate the ways in which John Calvin made major changes in the course of the Protestant Reformation.  Be sure to discuss the wide reaching impact of pilgrims from his "New Jerusalem."

• "The Reformation was a rejection of the secular spirit of the Italian Renaissance."  Defend or refute this statement using specific examples from 16th-century Europe.

• Discuss the political and social consequences of the Protestant Reformation in the first half of the 16th century.

• To what extent did political authorities influence the course of the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century?