A growing movement during the Renaissance period that proclaimed that people had free will to challenge the authority of political and religious leaders was called .

humanism

Explanation:

The Renaissance was a major period of European cultural, artistic, political and economic "rebirth" after the Middle Ages. In the 14th century, a cultural movement called humanism gained momentum in Italy. In many theories, humanism is central to the universe of man, and the idea that people should embrace human achievement in education, scientific art, literature and science. In 1450, the invention of the Gutenberg Printing Press allowed for better communication and ideas spread throughout Europe.