One major effect of the protestant reformation
on western europe was the
(1) decline in religious unity
(2) increased power of the catholic pope
(3) reduction in religious wars
(4) increase in the sale of indulgences by the
catholic church

One major effect of the protestant reformation was that it declined in religious unity.

The correct answer is (1) decline in religious unity

Protestant groups from various countries started organizing their own churches that were independent of each other and not related to the Catholic church. The power of the pope was actually reduced and the number of religious wars had skyrocketed since they now started prosecuting each other all the time. The sale of indulgences was also reduced.