Page "History of Germany" Paragraph 79

The Reformation was a triumph of literacy and the new printing press.

Luther's translation of the Bible into German was a decisive moment in the spread of literacy, and stimulated as well the printing and distribution of religious books and pamphlets.

From 1517 onward religious pamphlets flooded Germany and much of Europe.

By 1530 over 10, 000 publications are known, with a total of ten million copies.

The Reformation was thus a media revolution.

Luther strengthened his attacks on Rome by depicting a " good " against " bad " church.

From there, it became clear that print could be used for propaganda in the Reformation for particular agendas.

Reform writers used pre-Reformation styles, clichés, and stereotypes and changed items as needed for their own purposes.

Especially effective were Luther's Small Catechism, for use of parents teaching their children, and Larger Catechism, for pastors.

Using the German vernacular they expressed the Apostles ' Creed in simpler, more personal, Trinitarian language.

Illustrations in the newly translated Bible and in many tracts popularized Luther's ideas.

Lucas Cranach the Elder ( 1472 – 1553 ), the great painter patronized by the electors of Wittenberg, was a close friend of Luther, and illustrated Luther's theology for a popular audience.

He dramatized Luther's views on the relationship between the Old and New Testaments, while remaining mindful of Luther's careful distinctions about proper and improper uses of visual imagery.