The term Protestant Reform is used to define a religious-type movement that was characterized by proposing a series of objections to the Catholic Church, which would later cause a division of the Christian religion in the 16th century. By then Europe was fully in the Renaissance. In addition to that at that time there were a large number of changes in various areas, such as in areas such as culture, science and economics. Socially, the bourgeoisie born of trade within the Holy Roman Germanic Empire had acquired great power and influence, to the point that it had the strength to compete with the imperial authority.
The main referents of this reform were undoubtedly Martin Luther and John Calvin, who were called the "reformers." Emperor Carlos V, who served in parallel to this position as King Carlos I of Spain, was one of the main objectors to the reformist proposals. At the beginning of the 16th century, in Renaissance Germany, a series of accusations of corruption against the Catholic Church became known: in which they were accused of selling indulgences; that is, believers were freed from the obligation to carry out penances for their sins, in exchange for a sum of money to the church.
It should be noted that these indulgences already existed before, the criticisms were focused on the fact that they were sold, especially because the money that was collected was used to carry out the construction of St. Peter's Basilica. For this reason, the German priest Martin Luther, takes the initiative to present a document which he called " The 95 Theses ", placing it on the door of the Church of Wittenberg. The government of Rome noting that society nobleman and bourgeois had power to his authority, reason why Carlos V summoned an assembly, which was known as the Diet of Worms. In it, Luther was required to explain his position, however, he was unable to convince the emperor.
After this, a series of changes in religious practice began in the church for different countries, regardless of the opposition of the emperor. One of the resources that worked in favor of the reformers was the use of the printing press to spread their ideas. Opposition to Rome was welcomed in countries like Switzerland and England. Being one of those responsible for its dissemination in Switzerland John Calvin, who supported more rigid religious principles.
Carlos V and Lutheranism, based their dispute on assemblies to try to unify the faith through doctrinal discussions. But despite this, Lutheranism had a radical wing that broke away from mainstream Christianity.
