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Writing the LEQ

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Rubric Category	Point Value
Thesis	1	Must be historically defensible and answer all parts of the prompt. Minimum of 2-3 parts to your thesis.
Contextualization	1	Describes contextual information relevant to the prompt. Balance breadth and detail Connected to the thesis
Evidence Usage	2	Provides specific examples of evidence (Minimum 4) relevant to the prompt and your argument. (1 point) Explains how the evidence supports your thesis and analyzes it. (1 point)
Skill Usage	1	Uses a skill to structure and frame the argument (Comparison, Causation, CCOT)
Complexity / Reasoning	1	Demonstrates complex understanding and analysis of the topic.

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Analyze the extent to which changes during the Reformation era of c. 1500 CE to c. 1650 CE were the result of political or religious conflicts.

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Thesis Writing

CCOT

Although the era of the Reformation began with a foundation in the criticism of the established church, the period was dominated by political rivalries between nations and rulers as well as armed conflict as the primary solution to political differences.

Causation

Although the Reformation began with Martin Luther’s religious criticism of church theology, it grew to be inescapably political. Princes and rulers in the HRE saw it as an opportunity to free themselves from Hapsburg domination, while larger nation-states used religious war and conflict to increase their authority and hurt their rivals.

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CCOT Thesis: Although the era of the Reformation began with a foundation in the criticism of the established church, the period was dominated by political rivalries between nations and rulers as well as armed conflict as the primary solution to political differences. �

Paragraph 1: The Reformation began with Martin Luther’s criticism of church theology. These criticism may have been rooted in religious beliefs, but still had a strong political element.

Paragraph 2: The Reformation era was dominated by political rivalries that cannot be separated from religious rivalries. The two themes must be considered alongside each other.

HRE internal politics, France v Austria, HRE v Ottomans

Paragraph 3: During the Reformation era, armed conflict became a common solution to political differences.

Thirty Years War, French Wars of Religion, Ottoman Invasions of Europe

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Causation Thesis: Although the Reformation began with Martin Luther’s religious criticism of church theology, it grew to be inescapably political. Princes and rulers in the HRE saw it as an opportunity to free themselves from Hapsburg domination, while larger nation-states used religious war and conflict to increase their authority and hurt their rivals. �

Paragraph 1: The Reformation began out of a genuine desire to reform the abuses of the church by a non-political figure even though some of the criticisms were rooted in politics. Luther wanted politics removed from the church.

Paragraph 2: The princes of the HRE saw the Reformation as an opportunity to challenge the Hapsburgs for political power.

Giving Luther protection, Thirty Years War, Peace of Augsburg

Paragraph 3: Some nation-states used religious conflict as an opportunity to increase their political authority at home and injure their rivals.

French Wars of Religion, France/Ottoman alliance, Spanish Armada

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Context and Thesis

The absence of a unified European government through the Middle Ages created a void that was filled by the church. In practice, this meant the church exercised a tremendous amount of political authority such as with the selection of bishops, ownership of land that was often tax free, and the ability to use excommunication as a political weapon. The Pope’s role as both a religious leader and the political ruler of church lands and money meant that religious and political power often became entwined. Therefore, even purely religious criticism carried with it a threat to the political system that the church supported.

Although the Reformation began with Martin Luther’s religious criticism of church theology, it grew to be inescapably political. Princes and rulers in the HRE saw it as an opportunity to free themselves from Hapsburg domination, while larger nation-states used religious war and conflict to increase their authority and hurt their rivals.