What was the Protestant Reformation?

The Protestant Reformation was fundamentally an effort to reform the Catholic Church, which had been perceived by many as corrupt and in need of significant changes. It began in the early 16th century, spearheaded by figures such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, who challenged the practices and doctrines of the Catholic Church. This movement led to the establishment of various Protestant denominations, emphasizing individual interpretation of the scriptures and the importance of faith over established rituals.

The other options do not accurately represent the essence of the Reformation. A new interpretation of social studies is unrelated to the religious and theological shifts that characterized this historical period. Similarly, the Reformation did not originate as a movement against public schooling, nor was it an economic theory. Instead, it focused primarily on theological changes and the quest for religious autonomy, making the aim to reform the Catholic Church the central aspect of the Protestant Reformation.