| − | The '''Counter Reformation''' was an effort by the [[Roman Catholic Church]] to deal with the issues of corruption and complaints that had plagued the Church and led to the breakaway of the new [[Protestant]] Churches. By strengthening Catholic theology and reigning in objectionable practices, it hoped to either reabsorb or neutralize the Protestant movement while renewing the faith of the Catholic Church. The effort to combat Protestantism sometimes led to harsh reprisals against Protestant thought. | + | The '''Counter Reformation''' (about 1560 to 1648) was a partially successful effort by the [[Roman Catholic Church]] to roll back the [[Protestant Reformation]]. Using new agencies like the [[Jesuits]], and removing much of the corruption and complaints that had weakened the Church and given the Reformers many arguments, the Church managed to hold or reclaim most of Southern and Eastern Europe, including Spain, Italy and France, and large parts of Poland, Hungary and Germany. By strengthening Catholic theology and reigning in objectionable practices, it hoped to either reabsorb or neutralize the Protestant movement while renewing the faith of the Catholic Church. |