Final answer:
The Counter-Reformation, beginning with the Council of Trent and ending with the close of the Thirty Years' War, was a significant period for the development of Roman Catholic doctrine.
Step-by-step explanation:
The period marked by the Counter-Reformation was a decisive time for the development of Roman Catholic doctrine. During this era, sparked by the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Church instituted major reforms in response to the challenges posed by figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin. The Counter-Reformation began with the Council of Trent (1545-1563) and concluded with the end of the Thirty Years' War in 1648.
This period of vigorous resurgence was also associated with broader cultural movements such as the Renaissance and the emergence of Humanism. These intellectual revivals influenced the Church significantly, bringing about a spirit of introspection and renewal that would shape its doctrines for centuries to come. With the building of St. Peter's Basilica and the engagement with Greek culture, the period was marked by an increased interest in the arts, philosophy, and theology, which all played a role in the evolution of the Church's teachings and practices.
Although initiated as a means to counter the growing popularity of Protestantism, the Counter-Reformation had a profound and lasting impact on the Catholic Church, leading to a clearer articulation of its doctrines, a revitalization of its spiritual life, and a more energetic assertion of its political and cultural influence in Europe and beyond.