Question

The Protestant Reformation was the 16th-century religious, political, intellectual and cultural upheaval that splintered Catholic Europe, setting in place the structures and beliefs that would define the continent in the modern era. In northern and central Europe, reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin and Henry VIII challenged papal authority and questioned the Catholic Church’s ability to define Christian practice. They argued for a religious and political redistribution of power into the hands of Bible- and pamphlet-reading pastors and princes. How did the invention of the printing press tie in with this epoch-making change in Western civilization? What does this tell us about the relationship between technology and history?

Answer 1

Invention of printing press by Johans Gutenberg around 1448, made a lasting impact on the history of humanity. Invention of printing press made ideas of humanity spread with ease across the societies and nations in Europe the result of which was Renaissance.

The challenge that reformation leaders posed to Catholic Church and it's authority became more effective by the invention of printing,as they could now spread their ideas to masses through pamphlets. The invention of printing press cut short both cost and labour that was required to produce copies and hand print or write the books. It also helped in the mass production of books and their copies. All this helped in the spread of ideas and thoughts across the borders of nations in Europe, and thus, this became one of the prominent factor for both Renaissance and Reformation in Europe.