5 causes of the Protestant Reformation

1.Loss of Faith

-the people began to realize that the church wasn't perfect like they made themselves out to be

-controversy within the church

2.Black Death

-killed many priests making new less willing and less educated men to replace them

-theories like God is punishing us with the Black Plague arose

-Jews were accused of poisoning the wells causing the Black Death; they were tortured and killed

-distrust of clergy

3. Humanism

-man was thought to be sinful and should reject this world and seek life in Heaven

-humanists wanted to discover ideas that were more appreciative and respectful to human nature

4.Corruption within the Church

-most powerful institution in Europe

-church and clergy did not pay taxes

-were the few educated people

-owned land

-Luther's issues with the Church: Indulgences & Justification

5. Printing Press

-allows the spread of ideas

-allowed press to popularize new Protestant faith