Why did Protestantism flourish in Northern Renaissance Europe rather than Southern Renaissance Europe?

First of all, let us state the obvious. Martin Luther was from Germany. Secondly, Italy is the center of Catholicism, with Rome as the seat of the pope. Also, other kingdoms did not want risking excommunication from the Catholic Church, as the pope was a very powerful figure one should not mess with. Most of the supporters of protestantism were minor German princes who had nothing really to lose.

Answered by Edmund | 2024-06-10

Protestantism thrived in Northern Renaissance Europe due to Martin Luther's reformative actions, the support of local princes against the Catholic Church, and the influence of the printing press, which spread reformist ideas. In contrast, Southern Renaissance Europe maintained strong loyalty to the Catholic Church, limiting the growth of Protestantism. Cultural shifts and political motivations in the North further facilitated the Reformation's success.
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Answered by Edmund | 2024-12-24