Question

Why was the Reformation in England referred to as ""top-down?"" a) It was initiated and driven by grassroots movements and common people.

b) The reforms were implemented primarily through religious debates and public discussions.
c) It was led and enforced by the English monarchy and ruling elite.
d) The reforms were carried out through collaboration between various religious sects.

Answer 1

The Reformation in England was considered "top-down" because it was initiated by the monarchy, specifically King Henry VIII, for his own political needs, not from grassroots religious convictions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Why was the Reformation in England "top-down"?

The Reformation in England was referred to as "top-down" because it was led and enforced by the English monarchy and ruling elite, particularly King Henry VIII, who sought to create a national church that was separate from the Roman Catholic Church. Unlike other regions of Europe, where religious reform was driven by figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin, and was thus more of a grassroots movement, the English Reformation was initiated by the monarchy for reasons such as Henry's desire to annul his marriage without papal approval. This reformation had significant political motives rather than arising purely from religious conviction or public discussion.

To answer the multiple-choice question: The Reformation in England was referred to as "top-down" because c) it was led and enforced by the English monarchy and ruling elite.