The Great Schism was when 2 popes were elected at once when the French Cardinals rebelled against Pope Urban VI. Urban was a bit crazy and would embarrass the cardinals out in public by throwing a fit and/or tantrum. So the cardinals vowed not to call him their pope anymore, and elected a cardinal to be their pope. They took him to France, and so forth their became 2 popes: One in France, and one in Italy.
The French Pope was Clement V. Each Pope had 3 countries that followed them. Clement's followers were mainly from Spain, France, and Scotland. Urban had followers from Germany, England, and Italy. The council decided it would be best to wait until one died, and the one left standing would be the one and only Pope. Urban died first, but when he did, his followers still refused to turn to the French, and simply elected another pope. The same happened when Clement died.
The schism lasted from 1378 until 1417. It was finally resolved by the council of Constance. They confirmed the resignation of the old pope, and excommunicated the pope that refused to step down, and then elected Pope Martin V. This essentially ended the schism.
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