The Dark Ages (approximately 500-1000 AD) Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms: Effects of the Fall of Rome Franks Charlemagne Feudalism

The “Dark Ages” Historians call the period following the fall of Rome the “Dark Ages.” This period is known as the beginning of the “Middle Ages” (the time between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance).

The fall of Rome brought many important changes to Western Europe.

Warfare increased. Trade decreased. The “Dark Ages” began.

Effects of the Fall of Rome Germanic tribes took over Roman lands. Hundreds of little kingdoms took the place of the Western Roman Empire in Europe. Kingdoms were always at war with one another. People lost interest in learning.

Europe’s Geography

Geography made Europe difficult to unite Geography made Europe difficult to unite. Today, it is the second smallest continent but has 50 countries. Its division can be traced back to the many tribes in the Dark Ages.

Clovis was an important king of the Franks. The Franks were one of the largest Germanic tribes.

Clovis and the Franks In A.D. 481, Clovis united the Franks and became their king. Clovis converted to the Roman Catholic faith. Essentially, the Franks blended Germanic and Roman cultural practices.

Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 768 A.D. He conquered a vast empire and tried to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire.

Charlemagne He conquered great amounts of land including parts of present-day France, Germany, and Italy He was proclaimed Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope Leo III. He gave land to his nobles in exchange for their loyalty and military service.

Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne “Holy Roman Emperor.”

Charlemagne's Achievements Government: Officials called missi dominici were sent to check on nobles and ensure justice. Learning: Wanted his capital at Aachen to be “a second Rome.” Created a curriculum, or formal course of study. Extended Christianity into Northern Europe. Blended German, Roman, and Christian traditions.

During his reign, Charlemagne tried to recreate the Roman Empire. However, after his death, the empire declined.

Effects of Charlemagne While Charlemagne’s descendants were not able to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire, the Franks did have effects: 1. Christianity continued to spread. 2. His government was an example for later monarchs. 3.The Frankish practice of giving land to nobles in exchange for loyalty and military service spread throughout Western Europe.

Feudalism Life during the Middle Ages was based on a series of exchanges. Lesser Lords obeyed more powerful Lords in exchange for land. They also gave the more powerful lords military service. Peasants, known as serfs, gave their lords a portion of crops in return for protection.

Questions for Review: Why did historians call the early Middle Ages the “Dark Ages”? Who was Clovis and how did his conversion affect the Franks? Why did Pope Leo III crown Charlemagne “Holy Roman Emperor”? How is feudalism different from other political systems?