MIDDLE AGES

INVASIONS TRIGGER CHANGE Constant invasions and warfare destroys trade Roman centers of Trade and government collapse Many Nobles and other city dwellers leave for Rural Areas Cities are left without strong leaders German invaders are illiterate and education declines New languages develop as Germanic speakers mix with the Roman Population (Ex. Spanish and French)

GERMANIC KINGDOMS EMERGE Concept of Government changes ( Family and personal loyalties over citizenship and Law of the State ) Small communities over with unwritten laws and traditions German chief with loyal warriors opposed Kings Clovis, a Frankish leader, creates a special partnership between the Kingdom and Church that spreads Christianity

CHRISTIANTIY SPREADS Christianity spreads through politics and missionaries Monasteries become center for learning Benedict writes the book on rules for the monasteries and became the model of religious communities Under Pope Gregory I, the Church becomes both a Political and Spiritual Power Churchly kingdoms become the Theme of the Middle Ages

A EUROPEAN EMPIRE EVOLVES Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer), extends the Frankish Empire through conquest over Muslims His conquest was significant Christianity Pepin, Martel’s son, becomes King and forms an alliance with the pope Thus begins the Carolingian Dynasty Charlemagne, Pepin’s son, inherits and strengthens the Kingdom

CHARLEMAGNE TAKES CENTER STAGE Charlemagne’s conquest reunite western Europe into an Empire and spreads Christianity Charlemagne establishes a centralized government and keeps close watch over his Estates Charlemagne supports learning and culture and he orders monasteries to open schools and libraries Charlemagne’s heirs go through Civil War and divide the Empire into 3 Kingdoms ( Treaty of Verdun) Central government breaks down and leads to a new system of governing and landowning.

TREATY OF VERDUN