WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The printing press made it possible for Luther to spread his ideas through the many books that he published, not to mention his tracts, confessions, catechisms, pamphlets, and cartoons (one of the most dramatic means of communication to the common people of the day was through messages encrypted in cartoons).

Detailed explanation-2: -There’s a famous quote attributed to German religious reformer Martin Luther that sums up the role of the printing press in the Protestant Reformation: “Printing is the ultimate gift of God and the greatest one.”

Detailed explanation-3: -Martin Luther was in favour of print and spoke out in praise of it because print media helped popularise and spread his ideas. In 1517 he wrote the Ninety Five Theses criticising the practices and rituals of the Roman Catholic Church. These writings were immediately reproduced in vast numbers and read widely.

Detailed explanation-4: -At the same time, Luther’s right-hand man, Philip Melanchthon (l. 1497-1560), defended Luther’s views through his own publications, which encouraged others to publish their views supporting him and Luther and still others to have their attacks on both published.