Student Question

How did the Reformation and the sacking of Constantinople shape a new world order?

Quick answer:

The Reformation reshaped the world by diminishing the Roman Catholic Church's power, fostering freedom of thought, and promoting national unity as countries chose their own religions. It emphasized individualism, laying groundwork for ideas like equality and representative governance. The sacking of Constantinople ended Byzantine power, shifting European focus westward, sparking exploration and trade expansion, ultimately leading to the discovery of the Americas, further altering global dynamics.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Wow, this answer could be a book, but I will try to give a short summary here. The effect of the Reformation was crucial in creating a New World Order.  First, the Reformation broke the power of the Roman Catholic Church releasing people all over Europe from its domination allowing much more freedom of thought and the exchange of ideas.   Secondly, the Reformation split Europe - before this all Europeans had followed the same religion - now each country basically chose its own religion, increasing national sentiment and unity. Before the Reformation people spoke of living in Christendom or in their local area, but after the Reformation people began to say they lived in England, or France etc... Thirdly, the Reformation had a focus on the choices and actions of the individual in his relationship with God finally giving value to the individual over in relation to society.  This will later translate into the idea that "all men are created equal."   Countries based on a Protestant foundation such as England were quicker to develop representational goverments with limitations on the power of monarchs than  Catholic nations such as France which began to develop the concept of the divine right of rule.

The major effect of the sacking of Constantinople was that it broke the power of Byzantium and turned the eyes of Europe west for both expansion and trade routes, leading to the discovery of the Americas

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial