The Protestant Reformation that took place in Europe in the sixteenth century shattered to the core the basis of Christianity, dividing Christians into two groups and leading to the creation of many religious sects. Christianity’s political and religious power was challenged as The Protestant Reformation eventually brought about the design of a multifaceted world. The influence of the Protestant Reformation on European institutions can hardly be overestimated; however, its most significant impact was on the English New World, where it led to the creation of democratic institutions and proclaiming various freedoms.
In the sixteenth century, the Protestant Reformation, born out of people’s dissatisfaction with the current religious practices, the Great Schism and Conciliarism, was on the march in Europe. Its pioneer, Martin Luther, issues theses in which he severely criticized current church practices. Martin Luther, Huldreich Zwingli, and John Calvin were among those who believed that only the Holy Bible could guide people in their religious practices and accused priests of living in luxury and comfort. They quickly became key players of the Protestant reformation, attracting many followers who challenged the established norms and revolted against the nobility. Being prosecuted by the Church, these people fled to lands where they could preach their religious dogmas without fear of being arrested.
The Protestant Reformation divided Europe into two camps – Protestant and Catholic – which aimed to colonize newly discovered parts of the world. In an ongoing competition between countries and religious enclaves, hundreds of people set off to America in search of a better life. While many idealists wanted to find a place free of Catholic religious influence, the more determined colonists founded manufactures as “Catholic and Protestant states competed to outdo one another for imperial possessions in far-flung territories” (Burrell, 2018, p. 119). While in Europe clashes between Catholics and Protestants brought about the unleashing of religious civil war, these clashes led to the increased pace of colonization in the New World.
The key events that determined the development of the New World in the Protestant Reformation context are the authorization of the great bible to be used in English in 1539 and the civil war in Germany that erupted as a result of the church divide. The approval of the English Bible lent authority to those colonists who went to preach religion to the New World and served to unify territories on the American continent, establishing English as a common language.
The civil war in Germany and religious clashes in Europe clearly showed people in the New World how far the citizens might go in their attempt to uphold religious dogmas. That is why, when thirteen colonies were united, the founding fathers included the position about the freedom of conscience into the States’ first documents. This principle has successfully allowed preventing religious wars and clashes on American soil. Moreover, the democratic character of the adopted documents can be traced back to the Protestant Reformation, when people, for the first time, felt free to challenge the established religious and political norms.
The right of self-identification and the freedom to express one’s opinion was molded in the fire of the Protestant movement, allowing people to adopt values different from those of the official Church and government. Thus, it can be said that the Protestant Reformation not only changed the look of Europe but served to crystallize the democratic character of the countries formed on the North American Continent.
Reference
Burrell, K. (2018). “How the West was Won”: Christian Expansion Before and After the Protestant Reformation. Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS), 56(1), 115-140. Web.