Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Social Science Practice Test

Which of the following was a significant short-term cause of the Reformation?

1. The fiscal crisis in the Church

2. The execution of Jan Hus

3. Growth in the power of secular kings

4. Movement towards more personal ways of communicating with God

The correct answer is: The execution of Jan Hus

The execution of Jan Hus is a significant short-term cause of the Reformation because it highlighted the growing tensions between individual belief and institutional authority within the Church. Jan Hus, a Czech theologian and reformer, criticized the moral and doctrinal failings of the Catholic Church and advocated for reforms that aligned with his interpretation of the Bible. His execution in 1415 for heresy served as a catalyst for reformist sentiments and galvanized support for similar ideas across Europe, creating a sense of urgency among those dissatisfied with Church practices. This incident demonstrated the consequences of challenging Church authority, inspiring others, including Martin Luther decades later, to take a stand against ecclesiastical corruption and advocate for reforms. The public outrage following his death contributed to the broader dissent that characterized the Reformation, making this event a pivotal moment in the short-term buildup to the larger movement. The other options, while they may have contributed to the environment leading to the Reformation, do not hold the same immediate cause-effect relationship as the execution of Jan Hus. For instance, the fiscal crisis in the Church refers to long-standing financial issues that developed over time, and while growth in the power of secular kings played a role in the power dynamics of the period, it was not as