Martin Luther: influences on early life; the content and impact of the 95 Theses
Martin Luther was a German monk whose upbringing and religious crisis drove him to challenge the Catholic Church. In 1517, he published 95 arguments attacking the Church's sale of indulgences, sparking the Reformation.
Real World
Luther's 95 Theses spread across Germany within weeks via the printing press — functioning like a viral Twitter thread in 1517, turning a local academic dispute into a continent-wide political crisis before Rome could respond.
Exam Focus
Don't just list the content of the 95 Theses — explain which specific arguments proved most explosive and why they resonated beyond scholars.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
How well did you know this?