The Reformation, ignited by Martin Luther in 1517, sparked a seismic shift in European religious and political landscapes. Influenced by Renaissance inquiry and disillusioned by Church corruption and abuses, Luther and other reformers challenged the Pope’s authority and propagated new theological doctrines like justification by faith. Lutheranism spread rapidly, supported by German princes who sought to consolidate power by embracing Protestantism and seizing Church assets. Concurrently, John Calvin’s Calvinism gained prominence, emphasizing predestination and strict moral codes. The Counter Reformation by the Catholic Church, led by the Council of Trent and the establishment of the Inquisition, aimed to staunch Protestant advances and reaffirm Catholic doctrines. The ensuing religious wars across Europe, such as the Thirty Years’ War, underscored the division between Catholicism in the south and Protestantism in the north. Secular rulers in Protestant nations gained authority as religious allegiance shifted, while artistic expressions diverged between Catholic religious themes and Protestant secular subjects, reflecting broader cultural shifts. Economic impacts included the decline of Papal influence on taxation in Protestant territories and the stimulation of commerce amid religious conflicts, contributing to Europe’s economic transformation in subsequent centuries.