AP World History Practice Exam 2025 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The Catholic Reformation, also known as the Counter-Reformation, began as a response to the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. It was initiated by the Catholic Church to address the criticisms levied against it by Protestant reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin. The movement aimed to reform the Church’s practices, reaffirm its doctrines, and combat the spread of Protestantism.

Key components of the Catholic Reformation included the Council of Trent, which clarified Catholic doctrine and reformed clerical training, as well as the establishment of new religious orders like the Jesuits, who played a vital role in the revitalization and spread of Catholicism.

This movement sought not just to reclaim followers but also to enact necessary reforms within the Church itself, including combating corruption and improving spiritual practices, demonstrating the Church’s commitment to renewal in the face of challenge. Other options, while significant within the broader context of religious changes during this period, do not specifically label movements initiated in direct response to the Protestant Reformation as effectively as the Catholic Reformation does.