Final answer:
The printing press played a significant role in the spread of the Reformation by enabling the mass production and wide dissemination of religious texts, including the Bible. Martin Luther used the printing press to publish books and pamphlets that criticized the Roman church and advocated for reform. The availability of printed materials contributed to the growth and success of the Reformation movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The printing press played a significant role in the spread of the Reformation. Before the invention of the printing press, books were handmade, expensive, and mostly available in Latin. However, the printing press allowed for the mass production and wide dissemination of texts, including religious materials such as the Bible.
Martin Luther, one of the key figures of the Reformation, used the printing press to publish books and pamphlets that criticized the Roman church and advocated for reform. He translated the Bible into German and made it accessible to the German-speaking population, enabling them to read and interpret the Bible for themselves.
The availability of printed materials spread Luther's ideas more rapidly and widely, contributing to the growth and success of the Reformation movement.