TOPIC 3.1—THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION
I. Reasons for Colonies
A. Almost all English colonies were founded for one of two major purposes
1. Purpose one was for money; incentive for the founding of most Southern colonies; Jamestown
2. Purpose two was for religious reasons; incentive for most Northern colonies; Plymouth Colony
II. Leaders of the Protestant Reformation
A. The Protestant Reformation was a breaking away of many religious leaders and laymen from the trappings of the
Catholic Church in Europe
1. The three main leaders of the Protestant Reformation were Martin Luther, John Calvin, and somewhat
Henry VIII
B. Martin Luther is most associated with the beginning of the Protestant Reformation
1. Disagreed with practices of the Roman Catholic Church
2. Nailed his disagreements to the door of the Wittenberg Church; called the 95 Theses
C. The works of Martin Luther were taken up by Swiss reformer John Calvin; will impact the American colonies
greatly
1. Calvin’s beliefs and theology becomes known as “Calvinism”, although Calvin never claimed any new
ideas; said it was just Bible
2. Calvin’s views on the Bible were written down in his famous book The Institutes of Christian Religion
3. Calvin’s beliefs can be summed up in the acronym TULIP
a. T stands for total depravity of man in sin
b. U stands for unconditional election or “the elect” meaning there is nothing man does to save
himself; “visible saints” (predestination)
c. L stands for limited atonement
d. I stands for irresistible grace
e. P stands for perseverance or preservation of the saints
4. John Calvin’s views on the Bible will greatly influence the Pilgrims that will settle the Plymouth and Mass.
Bay colonies
D. Henry the 8th is credited by most historians as starting the Protestant Reformation in England, but did so not out of
religious conviction but personal desire; wanted to get a divorce that the Pope would not grant—start your own
church
1. Henry VIII established the Anglican Church or the Church of England
2. The Church of England will become the established church of the Southern colonies
BYRD AP U.S. HISTORY TOPIC NOTES