What was the major religious movement in the 16th century that reformed Christian practices and led to the establishment of Protestant churches?

The major religious movement in the 16th century that reformed Christian practices and led to the establishment of Protestant churches is known as the Reformation. This movement began in the early 1500s, primarily associated with figures like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Huldrych Zwingli, who criticized the Catholic Church's practices and doctrines. The Reformation emphasized concepts such as salvation by faith alone, the authority of Scripture over tradition, and the priesthood of all believers, challenging the central authority of the Pope and the Church hierarchy.

This push for reform gave rise to various Protestant denominations, including Lutheranism and Calvinism, transforming the religious landscape of Europe and contributing to significant social, political, and cultural changes. The consequences of the Reformation extended beyond religion, playing a crucial role in the development of modern nation-states and individualism.

While the Counter-Reformation was a response initiated by the Catholic Church in the later part of the 16th century to address the challenges posed by the Reformation, it did not originate the reform movements themselves. The Great Awakening refers to a series of religious revivals in the 18th century, primarily in America, and the term schism denotes any formal division within a religious community but