Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

What action did Queen Elizabeth take in 1558 regarding preaching and religious teachings?

1. She promoted religious toleration

2. She restricted and controlled the manner of preaching

3. She encouraged the spread of Protestant ideas

4. She established a state religion for England

The correct answer is: She restricted and controlled the manner of preaching

In 1558, Queen Elizabeth I took significant steps regarding preaching and religious teachings as part of her broader religious policy. Her approach focused on establishing a degree of control over religious practices to ensure stability in a country that had been divided by the Reformation and subsequent religious conflicts. By restricting and controlling the manner of preaching, Elizabeth sought to create a uniformity in religious practice that would minimize extreme interpretations and dissent that had plagued England. Under her reign, the Act of Supremacy was reestablished, affirming her as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, which allowed her to implement guidelines and ensure that preaching aligned with the Church of England’s doctrines. This containment of religious expression was crucial for maintaining order and preventing the type of upheaval and violence that had marked the reign of her half-sister, Mary I. Although Elizabeth did encourage the spread of Protestant ideas to some extent, her primary focus was on controlling the religious narrative to foster national unity rather than promoting unrestrained religious expression. This context shows that her actions were aimed at controlling preaching rather than fully endorsing religious toleration or creating a completely free environment for multiple religious practices.