Question

Based on the units you studied, select a topic from one of the following
options:
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•
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Christianity vs. Islam in Feudal Europe
Catholics vs. Protestants in Renaissance and Reformation
Christianity vs. Native American religions in Global Convergence
2. Develop a Research Question
You may use the guiding questions in the textbook as an example for
developing a research question.
You should develop a question that will guide your exploration of two
religions in Europe.
A sample question might be, “What was the purpose of the Christian Crusades,
and what was their effect on Islamic culture in Feudal Europe?
Use the following prompts based on the two religions you will research:
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How did the religions interact?
Did they exist peacefully or suffer from conflicts? What was the cause and
effect of interactions between the religions?
Did cultural diffusion influence the different religions? If so, how? If not,
why not?

Answer 1

### Topic Selection: Catholics vs. Protestants in Renaissance and Reformation

### Research Question:
"What were the key theological differences between Catholics and Protestants during the Renaissance and Reformation, and how did these differences shape social, political, and cultural interactions in Europe?"

### Exploration Prompts:

1. **How did the religions interact?**
- Investigate the ways Catholic and Protestant communities communicated and engaged with each other, including theological debates, public disputations, and printed pamphlets that disseminated differing perspectives. Analyze how these interactions fueled both collaboration and confrontation.

2. **Did they exist peacefully or suffer from conflicts? What was the cause and effect of interactions between the religions?**
- Examine major conflicts such as the Thirty Years' War and the English Civil War, tracing their roots to religious discord. Explore the effects of these conflicts on society, governance, and everyday life, including the persecution of religious minorities and the impact of wars on European politics.

3. **Did cultural diffusion influence the different religions? If so, how? If not, why not?**
- Assess how the Reformation led to cultural diffusion through the translation of the Bible into vernacular languages, the spread of Protestant ideas via the printing press, and reshaping of art, music, and education. Consider whether any Catholic responses, such as the Counter-Reformation, led to significant cultural exchanges or resistance to Protestant influences.

This research question and prompts will allow for a comprehensive exploration of the interactions between Catholics and Protestants in Europe during a turbulent yet transformative period in history, focusing on theology, conflict, and cultural exchange.