Supply and demand and price inflation.
During this era, Europe’s population was increasing. Puts a bigger strain on resources. Portugal was bringing in gold from Africa, Spain along with silver, from central and south america. Gold discovered in europe. mercantilism arises (hoarding precious metals). All the trends are inflationary. Spain particularly- Charles the 5 engaged in deficit financing. By 1550’s, half of Spain’s income went to interest on loans to lenders. Philip was forced to declare bankruptcy- 3 times. 1557, 1575, 1596. But what about about all the spanish galleons loaded with gold? Yes, the spanish were filthy rich, but they weren’t good at financing, the international power they once had has yet to return. Diplomatic instability came too. Phillip II of Spain- married Mary the first, england was firmly catholic at the time.
Philip thought he had claim to england because of this marriage, he encouraged killing protestants. He thought Elizabeth should marry him after the death of her sister, Mary. The Protestant Netherlands- Elizabeth has an alliance with them. She projected England’s power successfully. The Spanish siege of Lidon, in the Netherlands. An English privateer- Sir Francis Drake- added to the friction between the countries. Drake had a personal war against Catholic Spain- stealing goods from ships, made a daring raid on a Spanish port, torching the city. “singed the kings beard.” 132 ships are amassed, England had given tacit approval, so the Spanish hold England responsible. Plausible deniability on the part of the english. Even the privateering ships were funded by investors.
3000 percent return.
The new fleet of the Spanish was called invincible Armada, crossed english channel to attack England. Met by a small group of merchant ships with cannons strapped to them. The english ships were smaller and swifter, and they had superior guns, but they are actually able to get Spain to retreat. Then a storm hit the armada and less than half survived. Sense of invincibility shaken. Headed in decline. A strong Spain would have hindered the protestant reformation.
In 1500, Europeans generally saw themselves as members of Christendom- rather than french, english, dutch. Religion was important, despite Renaissance. Everybody in Europe had worshipped in much the same way- rcognizing the church and pope as heads of government, faith, morals, religion. Within a generation of the protestant reformation, the moral consensus of Europe is no longer in existence.
What caused the Protestant reformation? Ecclesiastical abuses, corruption from spiritual laxity. Legalistic fervor had disappeared.
-Simony- a clergymen’s divine calling- a commodity to be bought and sold. Economic opportunity and prestige for those who could buy their way into positions.
-Pluralism- simultaneously holding several church offices. 20% of the people do 80% of the work. -They don’t want to, but nobody else stands up to do it. Clergy often indifferent to their obligations. An -Italian cardinial- Lorenzo Compeggio- bishop of Bologna and Sulesbury in England. He only visited Sulesbury once- to hear Henry VIII divorce suit. Lousy bishop for them. But he did speak against indulgences, but not really doing job.
-Nepotism- relatives of popes and bishops get influential and good jobs within the system. Even illigetimate sons.
-Monastic clergy are at the end of a long decline. Not a lot of education taking place, schools and universities elsewhere. Not spiritual powerhouses. Not necessarily dens of iniquity, but not full of men and women working hard and praying to spread Christ’s Kingdom.
-Corrupt- secular clergy- non-monks. They had never been as educated in divinity, canon law, etc. The best join church hierarchy, but ministerial people actually know the least. Those that make it into hierarchy- pope, cardinals, archbishops (church province), Bishops (diocese), Priests (parish).
The church was never able to regain prestige of pre-Schism.
They lived in splendor. The example they set is going to filter down through the ecclesiastical hierarchy, warping the whole church. Some people- particularly in germany- piety was a priority- became anti-clerical. one Englishman said that instead of shepherds, they were ravenous wolves.
Pious movements in germany, low countries (belgium, netherlands)- trying to encourage living out faith, not just in mass, which the people barely understood. Printing press- pivotal change. Short tracts printed in native languages. Read as guides to pious living. There is a rise in mysticism- communion with God by devoting life to that pursuit. Some people that endorsed pietism did not believe the leadership of the church was their only way of knowing truth. Some humanists get involved- many christian humanists- discontent with educational classes. Erasmus of Rotterdum- wanted to emphasize original languages- primary documents, to get back to the 1st century church.
Secular rulers contribute to this. See the religious discontent as an opportunity. Isabella, Ferdinand- sponsored Columbus, spanish inquisition- but interested in asserting their authority over church taxation and jurisdiction- so it wasn’t just protestants.
Luther. Actions- started unwittingly. Just wanted to talk about his concerns- 95 in particular- Wittenburg, Germany, tacked the theses to the church door- like a bulletin board. Oct 31 1517. Provoked a lot of debate. He had at least 3 religious crises in his life- a priest/professor, but he had concern over the state of his soul. He went to a monastery, but didn’t seem to get peace. Then he followed more rules. Observed sacraments. Luther’s sole compulsion was to figure out how a Christian could serve a righteous God- since they could never be good enough. Romans 1:17- righteousness in faith being right with God. This gave him peace. Justified by faith. Lead to Luther’s doctrine of justification by faith. He believed good works were important.
The New world is settled. Line of Demarcation est. with treaty of Tordesillas. Portugal and Spain.
Slave trade established in New World.
