Reformation (Protestant)

The events that led to a permanent schism in the Western Christian church. The protest of Martin Luther in 1517 struck a chord with many who felt that the church had become worldly and needed reform. However, Protestants soon became convinced that the Roman Catholic church was not simply mistaken in its emphasis but was in fundamental theological error, and the differences between them became irreconcilable. Ardent efforts by Charles V, the authorities of the Counter-Reformation and the Catholic powers in Thirty Years War to end the schism by force all failed.