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The rise of Protestant states within the Holy Roman Empire was primarily due to the Protestant Reformation. It was initiated by Martin Luther in 1517, which led to widespread religious dissent across the Empire.

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As more regions adopted Protestantism, the Pope's political influence diminished, especially in areas where the Church had previously held significant power.

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Back then, the bible had limited access. It was only written in Latin at the time so only people who knew the language, were able to have it. 

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Following the reformation, the Roman Catholic Church countered the Protestant movement with the Counter-Reformation, which was started by the Council of Trent and led by the Jesuits, a new order of the Society of Jesus and that was created expressly to oppose them. 

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The reformation led to several religious wars across Europe including the  French Wars, The 30 Year's War, and the Schmalkaldic War.

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Some rulers used the Reformation to further their own political agendas, providing support to reformers like Martin Luther in exchange for increased control over the Church within their domains.

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When monasteries were dissolved, their large landholdings were often transferred to secular rulers or nobility, leading to changes in land ownership and agricultural practices.

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Religious divisions often influenced trade patterns, with Protestant regions engaging more readily with other Protestant areas, while Catholic regions faced restrictions.

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Protestant cities often experienced increased economic activity and population growth due to the influx of skilled workers and entrepreneurs.

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Luther's "95 Theses" challenged the Catholic Church's practices and doctrines, such as the sale of indulgences. This document was hammered to the door of the catholic church, listing all the negatives about the church. 

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Luther's teachings led to the division of Christianity into Protestantism and Catholicism.

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Luther's objections to the Catholic Church inspired other challenges, such as John Calvin's and Huldrych Zwingli's ideas about Holy Communion. 

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Calvin's theological approach is known as "Calvinism". He helped popularize the belief in the sovereignty of God and the doctrine of predestination. "Calvinism," which is distinguished by a heavy focus on God's total independence, particularly the theory of predestination, according to which god has already decided who will be saved and who will not.

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Calvin's writings were the most important theological texts printed in England by the end of Elizabeth I's reign. They were important because they helped shape the protectant reformation. 

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Calvin's view of Christianity and the management and social patterns he worked up for Geneva inspired Protestantism elsewhere in Europe and in North America.