Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Clivedurdle · 12-09-2005, 09:46 AM

Possibly joining dots that shouldn't be, but what effect did the discovery of America - literally the new "world" have on the rise of Protestantism?

CJD · 12-09-2005, 10:08 AM

You got it backwards (largely): What effect did Protestantism have on the "new world" and its rise? Incidentally, Catholics "discovered" America, but the Protestant tendency toward invidualism and rebellion (I'm speaking as one, mind you), coupled with the Puritan-Calvinist "work ethic" (and its eventual secularization), influenced greatly the rise of the new world. It's an old one, but try Max Weber's The Protestant Work Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, for a good discussion (if not misguided, at times) on this topic.

CJD

Clivedurdle · 12-09-2005, 10:25 AM

Key events 1492 Columbus sails the ocean blue, 25 years later 1517 Luther gets upset.

Was the discovery of America a major factor in the weakening of catholicism? I know Henry VIII was slightly earlier (was he though?)

OK things were already moving, but was there a major catalyst, shift in understanding that allowed significant growth in these new religions? I know good ol Webber, but I want to focus on the early sixteenth century!

yummyfur · 12-09-2005, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clivedurdle

Key events 1492 Columbus sails the ocean blue, 25 years later 1517 Luther gets upset.

Was the discovery of America a major factor in the weakening of catholicism? I know Henry VIII was slightly earlier (was he though?)

OK things were already moving, but was there a major catalyst, shift in understanding that allowed significant growth in these new religions? I know good ol Webber, but I want to focus on the early sixteenth century!

Henry VIII's, Act of Supremacy was done in 1534, part of the problem was the balance of powers in Europe. Charles V was both Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain as well as having controll over the current Pope. Originally Spain and England had fought against France, but England felt slighted by Charles V and then Charles V made an alliance with France, well that's the quick and dirty version, it is a bit more complicated.

It might be that the death of King Ferdinand in 1516, and the very rapid diplomatic changes that followed his death were important in some of the political aspects of Protestentism.

Also one cannot forget the Peasants Revolt in the Holy Roman Empire during 1524-25.

Obviously the Wycliffeites and Hussites bothe predate Luther and the New World.

Clivedurdle · 12-09-2005, 11:50 AM

But did the slightly earlier discovery of the new world cause a major shift in thinking, competition between states and general ability to think outside the box, one of the results being the vedry significant growth of protestantism in its peasant and princely guises?

(I'm trying to blame the yanks again!)

12-09-2005, 09:46 AM	#1
Clivedurdle Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: London UK Posts: 16,024	Luther and America Possibly joining dots that shouldn't be, but what effect did the discovery of America - literally the new "world" have on the rise of Protestantism?

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12-09-2005, 10:08 AM	#2
CJD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: greater Orlando area Posts: 832	You got it backwards (largely): What effect did Protestantism have on the "new world" and its rise? Incidentally, Catholics "discovered" America, but the Protestant tendency toward invidualism and rebellion (I'm speaking as one, mind you), coupled with the Puritan-Calvinist "work ethic" (and its eventual secularization), influenced greatly the rise of the new world. It's an old one, but try Max Weber's The Protestant Work Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, for a good discussion (if not misguided, at times) on this topic. CJD

12-09-2005, 10:25 AM	#3
Clivedurdle Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: London UK Posts: 16,024	Key events 1492 Columbus sails the ocean blue, 25 years later 1517 Luther gets upset. Was the discovery of America a major factor in the weakening of catholicism? I know Henry VIII was slightly earlier (was he though?) OK things were already moving, but was there a major catalyst, shift in understanding that allowed significant growth in these new religions? I know good ol Webber, but I want to focus on the early sixteenth century!

12-09-2005, 11:50 AM	#5
Clivedurdle Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: London UK Posts: 16,024	But did the slightly earlier discovery of the new world cause a major shift in thinking, competition between states and general ability to think outside the box, one of the results being the vedry significant growth of protestantism in its peasant and princely guises? (I'm trying to blame the yanks again!)

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