HRE=De-Centralized. ROME (being the Authority of the Church) is A LONG way away. The papacy holds LOTS of power over central Europe (the area that the HRE is primarily in) The princes of the autonomous HRE principalities are thinking "Man...wouldn't it be nice to not have to answer to the Pope and have to share power and tax revenue w him? If we can break away w/ Luther, we can have more power, more money, and CREATE A MORE GERMAN like church"
----Remember: the Reformation will offer a less centralized, controlled church where locals control. Not a Pope in Rome. Most German princes choose Luther. The north will be way more protestant while the south will remain heavily catholic. They'l grow to hate one another; then fight one another.
On Christian Liberty-(a primary source written by Luther)
"A Christian man is the most free lord of all, subject to none" Many peasants will like this. Many peasants will demand more rights. they''' revolt and the Princes will be mad at Luther, w/whom they were protecting. Luther will be furious WITH PEASANTS!!!!! Is Luther a conservative or a revolutionary?????!(this was an old FRQ prompt)
Then....many German principalities will fight eachother. Pro-LUther V. Pro Catholic. League of Schmalkalden (1531) Newly Protestant Northern HRE Princes AGAINST Charles V's Catholic Imperial Army-----(Fun fact, France will do this often!! (remember, the Valois HATE the Hapsburgs, charles v family) the French ally themselves w the Protestant League of Schmalden)
*****Catholics and Protestants will fight terrible battles until 1555. They HATE each other. The Peace of Augsburg will settle the fighting in the HRE. "Cuius regio, eius religion" = Who's realm, his religion Basically...if you're a protestant prince, everyone in your realm has to be protestant. Catholic...then Catholic. It will end HRE religious fighting AND END CHARLES v Hope of reuniting Christendom under Catholicism.
Ulrich Zwingli-Catholic Priest-Switzerland. He and Luther do not like one another (Colluquy of Marburg)
Coming from France----Jean (John) Calvin to Basel, Switzerland. (Calvinism which will spread to Scotland and BACK to France)-Presbyterian and Huegenots} "The Protestant Work Ethic-God shows happiness by rewarding those who work hard w/financial success.
----Calvin will essentially create a "theocracy" in Geneva, Switz. Geneva is NOW the home of the Reformation. Protestant exiles from Europe and England flock here. Then....they'll go home. Calvinism is VERY uncompromising. Very strict. The strictest of all Protestant Sects. They ban Singing, dancing, drinking, gambling, usury. Good bye. It's all a sin.
****REmember, these exiles hiding in Geneva will all go home!!