Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

The political support by various German princes for Luther and the Protestant Reformation is best explained by which of the following?

1. The opportunity religious conflict gave the princes to challenge the authority of the pope and Habsburgs

2. The desire to convert more citizens to Protestantism

3. The influence of foreign powers on German politics

4. The need for princes to maintain stability in their territories

The correct answer is: The opportunity religious conflict gave the princes to challenge the authority of the pope and Habsburgs

The support that various German princes provided for Luther and the Protestant Reformation can indeed be best understood through the lens of the opportunity it presented to challenge the authority of the pope and the Habsburgs. During this time, a significant portion of political power in the German states was concentrated in the hands of local princes who were often at odds with the overarching influence of the Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire, which was dominated by the Habsburg family. By backing the Reformation, these princes were able to assert greater autonomy from both the papacy and the imperial authority of the Habsburgs, who were staunch defenders of Catholicism. This alignment with Luther's ideas not only allowed them to support religious changes that resonated with emerging notions of national sovereignty and individual conscience but also served to strengthen their political positions. Embracing Protestantism could diminish the Habsburg's influence and provide a platform for consolidating power within their own territories, as they could seize church lands and redistribute wealth and resources according to their interests. The other options do not capture the primary motivations behind the princes' support as effectively. The desire to convert citizens to Protestantism speaks to a more ideological painting of events rather than the calculated political maneuvering that was