Vocabulary Charlemagne Vikings Curriculum Medieval SS.2.3.HS.21

The Early Middle Ages After the fall of Rome, Germanic tribes divided Western Europe into many small kingdoms. 2SS.2.3.HS.2

After the fall of Rome Invaders swept across Europe Trade slowed to a trickle Towns emptied out Learning virtually ceased 3SS.2.3.HS.2

Middle Ages From 500 to 1000 A.D. – Europe was a backwards place – Cut off from civilizations of the east, China and India New civilization would emerge – Blend of Greco-Roman, Germanic and Christian traditions Called ‘medieval’ from the Latin for middle age 4SS.2.3.HS.2

Geography of Western Europe SS.2.3.HS.25

Resources Considered frontier land – Sparsely populated – Outskirts of civilization Better suited for raising crops Mineral resources Transportation for trade – Rivers – Sea Mountain streams could turn water wheels SS.2.3.HS.26

The Germanic Kingdoms Tribes different from the Romans – No cities – No written laws – Governed by unwritten customs – Elected kings to lead them SS.2.3.HS.27

The Franks Strongest kingdom to emerge during Medieval age Clovis, king of the Franks, conquered the Roman province of Gaul Clovis converted to Christianity – Religion of the people of Gaul Gained a powerful ally in the Christian church of Rome SS.2.3.HS.28 Clovis

Europe and the Muslim World Islam is born in 622 A.D. Muslims build an empire that stretches to Spain from the Middle East – Known as the Moors of Spain Frankish warriors turned back an Islamic invasion of Gaul (France) in 732 B.C. Muslim presence was a source of anxiety – Began a constant source of hostility SS.2.3.HS.29

Islamic Empire SS.2.3.HS.210

The Age of Charlemagne 800 A.D – Charlemagne (Charles the Great) built an empire across France, Germany and part of Italy Reigned for 46 years – Conquest reunited much of the old Roman Empire SS.2.3.HS.211 Charlemagne or Charles the Great

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A Christian Emperor Pope Leo III asked Charlemagne for help with rebellious nobles Frankish troops crushed the rebellion Pope crowned Charlemagne Emperor of the Romans – Revived the idea of a united Christian community Outraged the Eastern Roman Emperor – Further divided the Christian church SS.2.3.HS.213 Pope Leo III

Government Created a united Christian Europe – Worked with church to spread Christianity Missionaries converted the Saxons and Slavs Appointed nobles to rule over local regions – Land in exchange for support and soldiers Assigned officials called missi dominici, to administer the law SS.2.3.HS.214

Revival of Learning Charlemagne set up his capital, Aachen as a second Rome – Set out to revive Latin learning in his empire He could read but not write! Curriculum based on Latin learning Grammar, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy SS.2.3.HS.215

After Charlemagne 814 B.C – Charlemagne died and his empire fell apart. His legacy: – Extended Christian civilization into northern Europe – Set up strong efficient government – Furthered the blending of Roman, German and Christian traditions. SS.2.3.HS.216

Homework Questions How did the culture of the Germanic tribes differ from that of the Romans? How did Clovis increase the power of the Frankish Kingdoms? What steps did Charlemagne take to improve government and unify his empire? What was the lasting legacy of Charlemagne? SS.2.3.HS.217