The Early Modern Period, c. 1450 to c. 1750: Content Summary 4.6: Early Modern Religion

The revival of Theravada Buddhism continued in the early modern period as it was established in mainland Southeast Asia kingdoms. (4.6.A)

The religion was associated with the teachings of Guru Nanak—the first of 10 Sikh spiritual leaders (gurus). (4.6.A)

Many of these gurus were martyred in conflict with the Mughal Empire. (4.6.A)

Nanak’s religious ideas promoted the oneness of God and the equality of all, with the latter being a reaction to the caste structure in which he was born. (4.6.A)

Nanak’s religious ideas promoted the oneness of God and the equality of all, with the latter being a reaction to the caste structure in which he was born. (4.6.A)

The equality of believers was institutionalized in the communal practice of the langar, where all Sikhs regardless of social standing cooked and ate together. (4.6.A)

Later gurus took Nanak’s notions and works, added rites and rituals, and created a formal written scripture, the Adi Granth, in 1604. (4.6.A)

Later gurus took Nanak’s notions and works, added rites and rituals, and created a formal written scripture, the Adi Granth, in 1604. (4.6.A)

Later gurus took Nanak’s notions and works, added rites and rituals, and created a formal written scripture, the Adi Granth, in 1604. (4.6.A)

Gobind Singh, the last of the 10 gurus, established the Khalsa—a group of religiously initiated warriors devoted to defending the persecuted. (4.6.A)

Sikhism spread throughout much of northwest India and later, through diasporas, around the world. (4.6.A)

While disagreements in Biblical interpretations led to a variety of churches and denominations, Protestants shared a common commitment to reform religious practices and Christian theology based on evidence from the Bible. (4.6.B)

While disagreements in Biblical interpretations led to a variety of churches and denominations, Protestants shared a common commitment to reform religious practices and Christian theology based on evidence from the Bible. (4.6.B)

Many denominations adopted Martin Luther’s belief that salvation came from faith as opposed to adherence to religious rituals. (4.6.B)

Many denominations adopted Martin Luther’s belief that salvation came from faith as opposed to adherence to religious rituals. (4.6.B)

Protestant denominations in Switzerland, Scotland, and the Netherlands increasingly adopted John Calvin’s teachings that God’s salvation would be demonstrated in the righteous behavior and prosperity associated with an individual. (4.6.B)

In response to the Protestant schism, the Catholic Church underwent its own reformation, which included attempts to reduce corruption; advocating for traditional Catholic practices, such as devotion to saints and the significance of the sacraments; and efforts to develop a more educated clergy and new orders including the Jesuits, who engaged in Catholic evangelicalism and believed in the value of both a religious and nonreligious education. (4.6.B)

In response to the Protestant schism, the Catholic Church underwent its own reformation, which included attempts to reduce corruption; advocating for traditional Catholic practices, such as devotion to saints and the significance of the sacraments; and efforts to develop a more educated clergy and new orders including the Jesuits, who engaged in Catholic evangelicalism and believed in the value of both a religious and nonreligious education. (4.6.B)

In response to the Protestant schism, the Catholic Church underwent its own reformation, which included attempts to reduce corruption; advocating for traditional Catholic practices, such as devotion to saints and the significance of the sacraments; and efforts to develop a more educated clergy and new orders including the Jesuits, who engaged in Catholic evangelicalism and believed in the value of both a religious and nonreligious education. (4.6.B)

In response to the Protestant schism, the Catholic Church underwent its own reformation, which included attempts to reduce corruption; advocating for traditional Catholic practices, such as devotion to saints and the significance of the sacraments; and efforts to develop a more educated clergy and new orders including the Jesuits, who engaged in Catholic evangelicalism and believed in the value of both a religious and nonreligious education. (4.6.B)

These efforts were often initiated by Jesuits and other itinerant Catholic orders, such as the Franciscans and the Dominicans. (4.6.C)

To encourage conversion, the Catholic Church in the Americas made significant accommodations with Amerindian and African religious and cultural practices to promote the appeal of Christianity. (4.6.C)

Amerindians and Africans also made Christianity their own, incorporating their local music, symbolisms, and worldviews within the practice of new hybrid Christian forms; for example, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and devotion to her were an important part of colonial Mexican culture. (4.6.C)

Protestant clergy typically expected the renunciation of Amerindian cultural practices with religious conversion, which limited possibilities for syncretism. (4.6.C)

Protestant clergy typically expected the renunciation of Amerindian cultural practices with religious conversion, which limited possibilities for syncretism. (4.6.C)