Causes of the Protestant Reformation Lesson

In this lesson, students will examine the causes of the Protestant Reformation and explore why religious dissatisfaction, political ambition, economic resentment, and cultural change all contributed to one of the most significant turning points in European history. They will investigate how forces such as the sale of indulgences, the rise of nation-states, the growth of the middle class, and the ideas of the Renaissance created conditions in which the established authority of the Catholic Church could be effectively challenged. Students will have the opportunity to achieve this through choosing their own method of learning, from reading and research options, as well as the chance to engage in extension activities. This lesson includes a self-marking quiz for students to demonstrate their learning.