Overview
The religious movement that came to be known as the Reformation led to Protestantism and had a tremendous impact on social, political, and economic life in Europe during the 1500's. The influences of the Reformation are still felt today. As a result of the Reformation, many Protestant groups developed in Europe. Authorities in the Roman Catholic Church responded to the Protestant challenge in two ways: (1) by defending Roman Catholic doctrine and defining it more precisely, and (2) by promoting serious reform effort in the Roman Catholic Church. This reaction is called the Counter Reformation or the Catholic Reformation.