Humanism

The printing of books led to a new way of thinking. Scholars of the Renaissance returned to the writings of Greek and Roman philosophers. These writings are called the “classics”. More and more scholars learned to read Greek and Latin and studied old manuscripts on topics like science, art and life.

During the Middle Ages people were guided by the church, which was against wealth, trading goods and other worldly interests. Humanists, however, did not believe that much in religion. They thought that money and trade were important in life and that citizens needed a good general education.

During the Renaissance a churchman named Martin Luther changed Christianity. In 1517 he wrote a list of things that he didn’t like about the church   and posted them on the door of his church in Wittenberg, Germany.

Luther also wanted the church to hold masses in German instead of Latin so that people could understand them better.  Many other Christians agreed that the church was in need of change. Luther and others founded new religions and separated from the Roman Catholic church.

Martin Luther’s 95 thesis on what he didn’t like about the Roman Catholic church
Image:Martin Luther, Public domain,
via Wikimedia Commons