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

The Protestant Reformation was a significant movement in the 16th century that aimed to reform various aspects of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly its practices and doctrines. It was initiated by figures such as Martin Luther, who criticized the Church's selling of indulgences and other perceived corrupt practices. Luther's actions and writings, including his famous 95 Theses, sparked a broader movement that led to the formation of new Christian denominations separate from Catholicism.

While the Counter-Reformation, which is also mentioned, sought to address the challenges posed by the Protestant Reformation by reforming the Church from within and reaffirming Catholic doctrines, it was primarily a reaction to the Reformation rather than a movement aimed at originating reform itself. The Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution, while influential in shaping modern thought and challenging traditional authority, did not specifically focus on reforming the Catholic Church during the 16th century. Thus, the Protestant Reformation stands out as the principal movement dedicated to changing the Roman Catholic Church during that time.