réforme

Réforme is the French term for reform and is used in both general and specific historical contexts. In historical usage, it most often denotes the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, a religious and social transformation that began with calls for reform within the Catholic Church and led to the establishment of Protestant churches across Europe.

Origins and key figures: The movement emerged in the early 16th century amid criticism of church practices, including the sale of indulgences. Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses of 1517 is commonly cited as a turning point, and reformers such as Huldrych Zwingli in Zurich and John Calvin in Geneva extended reformist ideas. Their work influenced doctrines, church governance, and the availability of scripture in vernacular languages, shaping regional religious landscapes.

Impact and responses: The Reformation contributed to religious fragmentation, social change, and political conflict across Europe. The Catholic Church responded with the Counter-Reformation, including the Council of Trent (1545–1563) and the establishment of new orders such as the Jesuits. The movement also spurred broader educational advances and debates about governance and freedom of conscience. Legal recognitions of religious pluralism, such as the Peace of Augsburg (1555) and the Treaty of Westphalia (1648), helped redefine the relationship between church and state in various regions.

Contemporary use: In modern French, réformes describe changes and reforms in political, administrative, or social institutions beyond religious contexts. The term Réforme may refer specifically to the Protestant Reformation or, less commonly, to the Catholic Reformation in historical discussion.