Causes of the Reformation
by Kanon Shibata
1. Social
1.1. Renaissance values of humanism & secular challenged Church authority
1.2. Printing press helped spread ideas critical of Church
2. Economic
2.1. European princes & kings were jealous of Church's wealth
2.2. Merchants and others resented paying Church taxes
3. Religious
3.1. Church leaders became worldly & corrupt
3.2. People found Church practices (ex. sale of indulgences) unacceptable
4. Political
4.1. Powerful monarchs challenge Church as supreme power in Europe
4.2. Leaders view pope as foreign ruler & challenge authority