1001 Space Earth Nature History First Civilisations Ancient Egypt Biblical Times Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Chinese, Japanese Civilisations Indian Civilisation African Civilisation The Early Americas The Rise of Islam The Middle Ages The Renaissance Civil War and Revolution The Industrial Revolution Two World Wars 20th-century Achievements Human World Science and Technology

What was the Reformation? In the early 16th century a religious movement began. It was called the Reformation because people wanted to reform the Roman Catholic Church. They began to criticise the popes for their wealth, pleasure-seeking, and power. A German priest named Martin Luther accused the Catholic Church of corruption and wickedness. The people who protested against the beliefs of the Catholic Church established their own church, later known as the Protestant Church. John Calvin was a Frenchman who carried on the reforming work of Martin Luther.   Previous: Back Book: 1001 Section: History Chapter: The Renaissance