Question

What were the results (Impacts) of the Reformation?

Answer 1

The results (Impacts) of the Reformation were as follows:

1. The Church was split up: It led to the birth of Protestantism. With the spread of the Protestant Movement, some of the kings and princes of Europe sided with one faction, while others with the other. Luther was supported greatly by the masses, as there was a strong feeling against the abuses of power by the Roman Church.
2. Religious Conflicts and Wars: The fanatics who never showed any respect to the sublime teachings of Jesus Christ, always encouraged cruel persecutions. Religious intolerance resulted in the civil war in Germany. Subsequently, the Holy Roman Empire underwent Thirty Years War. The main object was to force the Protestant states to become Catholic. Religious frenzy drove the English Puritans to North America, which led to the formation of the United States of America in the course of time.
3. Counter-Reformation (Reform in Catholic Religion): Reformation resulted in Counter-Reformation. Roman-Catholics under the Pope at the Council of Trent took measures to revive the prestige of the Church. Christianity became more liberal, more tolerant of different kinds of opinions.
4. The Rise of National Monarchies: Those princes who wanted to be freed of leading-strings of the Pope, stated with Martin Luther or Calvin. The Reformation assumed the form of nationalism particularly in Germany and in England. Had it not been for the support of the English Parliament, Henry VIII would not have succeeded in his struggle against the Catholic Church.
5. Rapid Economic Growth: The Clergy were hurt and crashed. The new age that was dawning, was “the age of traders, bankers or financiers”. Much of the Church's property had passed to the kings. Therefore, they had considerable wealth at their disposal. They could now give attention to those suffering, poverty, and beggary.