Part+1


 * //__THE PRINTING PRESS AND SOCIAL CHANGES OF THE EARLY MODERN PERIOD__//**
 * by: Will Fuhrmann**

In 1450, Johannes Gutenburg invented the printing press. He made it by making blocks with letters imprinted on them, and making a board that held all the blocks in order to make words, sentences, etc. They could then press the board into papers over and over again. That way they could mass produce papers which allowed them to make books, newspapers, magazines, and fliers much more quickly. It also made them less expensive and more available to the public. The first book printed was the Bible. The mass production of the bible had a major impact on both the Roman Catholic church and the other churches that formed during this time period. It also led to many splits in churches because of arguments as to what is meant by a certain passage in the bible. Guttenburg also mass produced indulgences which helped the Catholic church bring in loads of money. They could pass them out much more quickly and for a more reasonable price, so more people bought them. Even though the printing press helped the Catholic church at first, eventually it led to many members of the Catholic church leaving and becoming members in one of the many new protestant churches.

Not all europeans were happy about the invention of the printing press. They said written out books were more accurate and much more beautful. The printing press didn't allow for there to be the same intricate designs and art that would be put in the margins in the books that were handwritten. They also said that it would put hand-copying manuscripts out of business, which would make more people poor which would hurt the economy. They thought it would lead to misenterpritation and large would spring from the disagreements.

The printing press was also a large factor in the spread of humanist ideas. With the invention of the printing press there could now by opinionated letters and essays could now be spread to people all across both europe and the world. This led to a new interest in reading, writing, and mathematics. It also helped spread an interest in exploring new worlds, and new political ideas.

The invention of the printing press also helped spread the protestant reformation, because then everybody could read Martin Luthers 95 theses. This led to many new churches being formed and the availability of the bible made it easier to know, understand, and spread the messages of the bible. This also helped political leaders spread their agendas and market their ideas to the people they were ruling. The people now had a better understanding what was going on in their own government, which previously was almost impossible.

With the ability to mass produce the Bible came the ability to easily spread Christianity to non-Christian regions such as the Middle East and Asia.