World History Chapter 13A European Middle Ages 500-1200
Germanic Kingdoms Unite Under Charlemagne The gradual decline of the Roman Empire started The Middle Ages from about 500-1200 A.D. Invasions begin changes in Western Europe and these changes are: The disruption of trade The downfall of cities The European population begins to shift
Continued These three things led to the decline of learning and the ability to read and write almost disappears Latin, the common language of Rome, gradually stops being used and French, German and Spanish take its place
The Germanic Kingdoms Emerge The concept of government changes Loyalty to public government and law unified the Roman society The German tradition was different. Germanic tribes were loyal to a strong leader and ancient unwritten traditions A tribe called the Franks becomes the most powerful group in Europe and their leader,, Clovis brings Christianity to this tribe
Clovis
Continued Clovis converts to Christianity and by 511 he has united the Franks with the Church in Rome This conversion leads to the development of monasteries-religious communities Pope Gregory I becomes Pope in 590A.D. He expands the power of the Papacy, making it more secular (worldly)
Pope Gregory I
Continued Gregory uses church money to build roads and help the poor Gregory believes that he controls and rules all Christians as a spiritual ruler
A European Empire Evolves After the fall of Rome many small kingdoms emerge in Europe The Franks unite under Clovis and this is called the Merovingian Dynasty By the year 700 the Merovingian kings had become weak and the Mayor of the Palace, Charles Martel, has become more powerful than the king
Charles Martel
Continued Charles extends the kingdom north He defeats the Moors (Muslims) at the Battle of Tours in 732 His son Pepin the Short, becomes king and this starts the Carolingian Dynasty
Charlemagne Takes Center Stage He is the son of Pepin the Short He is 6feet 4 inches tall at a time when the average height is 5 feet for a man and 4 feet 5 inches for a woman Charles is very smart and a great leader
Charlemagne
Charlemagne’s Government He strengthens royal power by limiting the authority of the nobles He sends out royal agents to make sure that the nobles, judges, and priests are ruling correctly He greatly encourages learning. He opened a palace school to teach noble children. He also orders monasteries to open schools to teach future monks. Learning is reborn in many areas where it had died out completely
Charlemagne’s Kingdom
TA13B Read Pages 358-363 Copy & Define terms on page 363 Copy & Answer Questions 12, 13, & 14 on Page 374