AP Euro homework, lol

7) Great Schism –

The election of a new pope is as debated today as it was in the Middle Ages; however, never have we had a conflict as mass as that known as the Great Schism. In 1377 after the latest pope had passed away, conferences formed to decide on the new religious leader. With the general consensus being that the new papal honour would go to a Frenchman, others stepped in. The cardinals voting on the issue were threatened that an Italian must take the title of pope else there be consequences. The cause of the Great Schism, the effects it had on religion in medieval times, and the way Christians displayed their beliefs were all factors in the fall of the papacy.

Because the Italians were so adamant on one of their own taking the papacy by storm, the Great Schism ensued. The French had held the title for so long that it seemed reasonable to elect another Frenchman. After receiving numerous death warrants, however, the cardinals decided to vote in an Italian. This pleased many and displeased equally as many. Those who were not happy decided to elect their own pope and deny that Urban (the Italian) was ever a valid ruler.

Religion and the papacy as the Middle Ages knew it was shattered. The Great Schism caused Europe to be torn in half; the English and their allies siding with Urban, while the French and their allies sided with Clement (the pope they had elected). People were lost as to who the true leader was and were not able to grow as close to religion as they had before under Pope Gregory. This led to the decline of the church soon after.

During this period of discrepancy, Christians did not know how to display their loyalties. First and foremost, they loved God, but they also had to obey a pope. Choosing sides seemed sacrilegious and none truly wanted to take that path. Instead, many hid their faith or separated from it to keep themselves from discrimination by either side.

The Great Schism was a time of turmoil for anyone connected with religion. For almost fourty years, these kinds of battles went on between popes. Finally, an agreement was reached, and the papacy became more of what we know it as today. Soon, however, the church lost much of its power in the government as people moved away from religion and more toward monarchies.