History
Explainer
Why the Reformation Spread So Fast
Luther's pamphlets turned a theological dispute into a mass movement.
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Lesson notes
Key points
- In 1517 Martin Luther circulated the Ninety-Five Theses criticising the sale of indulgences.
- Printers rapidly reproduced his short vernacular pamphlets, meaning writings in everyday German rather than Latin.
- Woodcut images and public reading let reformist ideas reach people who could not read themselves.
Definitions
- Indulgence
- A remission of temporal punishment for sin granted by the Church, controversially sold for money.
Takeaway: Print plus vernacular made the Reformation a mass movement.
Quick check: Why did vernacular pamphlets matter?
- They were in Latin
- Ordinary people read them
- Only clergy owned them
IndulgencesVernacularWoodcut propaganda
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