Final answer:
The Reformation led to stronger rulers as they were able to weaken the power of the Catholic Church and increase their own authority. Rulers also gained legitimacy by converting to Catholicism and integrating with their population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Reformation in 16th-century Europe led to stronger rulers in several ways. Firstly, the Catholic Church's power was questioned, which allowed rulers to weaken the influence of the office of the Pope and increase their own power in relation to the Church. Additionally, the Reformation helped legitimize new rulers as they converted to Catholicism, allowing them to better integrate with their Roman population. Bishops served as administrators, and monasteries provided education to the new elite. Lastly, the Reformation resulted in the centralization of power, with stronger monarchies emerging in France and other countries, making rulers more powerful.
The Peace of Augsburg in 1555 enabled rulers to choose the official religion within their territories, effectively centralizing control and reducing the influence of the Church over regional politics. Additionally, the centralization of monarchial power and the reliance on the merchant class after the Black Death further diminished the traditional privileges of the nobility, paving the way for stronger national monarchies.