Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms Chapter 13 Section 1

Invasion of Western Europe Germanic invaders took over the western half of the Roman Empire. Constant warfare and invasions caused: Disruption of Trade: ruining the cities as economic centers Downfall of cities: cities were abandoned due to the downfall of the Roman Empire Population Shifts: Cities were left without strong leadership, and there was a massive move to more rural areas. Decline of learning: invaders couldn’t read or write, Loss of a common language: everyone spoke different languages, new dialects, and new words.

Germanic Kingdoms Emerge The church was one of the few things that survived, and provided order and security Personal ties made it difficult to unify the area. Clovis ruled the Franks (Gaul germanics) Brought Christianity to the region-Battle Prayer Page 354-How did the government change from the Roman Empire?

Germans Adopt Christianity Politics helped spread Christianity. Religious communities called monasteries were created, monks lived here Nuns lived in convents. The religious focused on education and copied many books, and wrote histories of different areas. Gregory I became pope, and extended the powers of the pope outside of religious areas. He became a secular power, involved in politics. He used church funds for public works projects and the military.

An Empire Evolves The fall of the Roman empire made hundreds of small kingdoms pop up across Europe. Charles Martel takes over after Clovis died, and expanded the kingdom in all directions. Pepin the Short takes rule after his father dies. He rules his entire life and starts the Carolingian Dynasty where they rule the Franks from 751-987

Charlemagne Becomes Emperor Becomes ruler in 771 after his brother dies. Read the section “Charlemagne Becomes Emperor” on page 354 and list key events that took place during his rule. What made him a good ruler? Medieval Monasteries: Google a monastiary that remains today in western Europe. Write a two pargraph history of the monastery and include an illustration.

Feudalism: A New Social Order Feudal system is based on rights and obligations Feudalism depended on the control of land. Lords owned land call a fief He would give the fief to a vassal/nobles & bishops Knights served under Vassals, and defend their landowners Serfs were people who could not leave the level they were born into. Social classes were created

Manors: The Economic Side of Feudalism A Manor was a lord’s estate. The manor system ran on a set of rights: The lord gave the serfs housing, farmland and protection, the serfs tended the fields, and maintained the estates. This created a self contained world, no one traveled more than 25 miles from their home.

What was manor life like? Look on page 362-363 for ideas.