MIDDLE AGES 500 - 1500

WESTERN EUROPE EARLY MIDDLE AGES 

ROMAN EMPIRE FALLS FIFTH CENTURY – Germanic invaders overrun the western half of the Roman Empire Repeated invasion and constant warfare caused a series of changes that altered the economy, government and culture

ROMAN EMPIRE FALLS With repeated invasions and constant warfare: Trade disrupted – economy collapses Cities collapse – no longer centers of administration Population shifts – becomes rural

ROMAN EMPIRE FALLS Learning decreases - Germanic invaders could not read or write Loss of common language-Latin no longer understood Unification no longer exists – Democracy ends

END OF DEMOCRACY *Rome – *Unified by loyalty to public government and written law *Orderly, unified government

END OF DEMOCRACY *Germanic Kingdoms *Family ties and personal loyalty *Small Communities with no unwritten laws and traditions *Ruled by a chief who led a band of warriors loyal only to him

GERMANIC KINGDOMS After the decline of Roman Empire small kingdoms sprang up all over Europe – *Largest and strongest was controlled by the Franks *Leader was Clovis – First Christian King *Area of France *Greatest king was Charlemagne

CHARLEMAGNE *Most powerful king in Western Europe *Encouraged Learning *Made sure nobles had limited power *Made sure powerful landowners ruled justly