Final answer:
The Reformation was caused by discontent among European Catholics and an interest in spiritual transformation. Martin Luther initiated the Protestant Reformation by criticizing the practices of the Catholic Church. The Reformation resulted in a divide between Catholics and Protestants, and it had significant social and cultural impacts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Reformation was a religious movement in the 16th century that was caused by discontent among some European Catholics and an interest in spiritual transformation in northern Europe. The German monk Martin Luther played a significant role in initiating the Protestant Reformation by criticizing questionable practices of the medieval Roman Catholic Church, particularly the sale of indulgences. Luther's objections led to his excommunication from the church, but his ideas spread throughout Europe with the help of the printing press. The Reformation resulted in a divide between Roman Catholics and Protestants, and it had profound effects on European society, including changes in religious practices, political conflicts, and the patronage of artists.