1. EUROPE IN THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES 500-1500

2. THE GEOGRAPHY OF EUROPE  Peninsula of peninsulas  Mountain and plains Varied topography (physical surface) North European plan is the fertile heart of the continent Winds give much of Europe a a warm, moist climate year-round  Waterways Rivers bring water to farmland and form natural boundaries Make trade easier Most early European cities formed along major rivers Longest rivers are Rhine and Danube Deposit fine soil for farm land

3. NEW KINGDOMS IN EUROPE  Favorable geography attracted many people to the region Tribes divided Europe into a collection of small warring kingdoms  The rise of the Franks 486 Frankish leader Clovis I defeated the last Roman army in Western Europe Took over several of the Germanic kingdoms By 530s the Franks controlled much of the land in present-day France Eventually the Frankish lands broke into smaller kingdoms

4.  Charles Martel takes power 717 Charles Martel united the Frankish lands 732 Battle of Tours- defeated a Muslim army from Spain The battle ended one of the last Muslim military invasions of Western Europe Muslim troops did not advance any farther into Western Europe

5. THE AGE OF CHARLEMAGNE  Charles Martel’s grandson, Charles, became king of the Franks Charlemagne or Charles the Great  A strong ruler By 800 he had built an empire that stretched across what is now France, Germany, and Italy 46 year reign Appointed powerful nobles to rule local regions Thought education could unite his kingdom Encouraged the creation of schools Studied Greek and Latin

6.  Charlemagne and Christianity Devote Christian Advisers were members of the clergy (people who are trained for religious services) Wanted to create a unified Christian Europe  A new emperor 800 Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne “emperor” Significantly very important Established the idea that only the pope had the power to name and emperor Angered the Byzantine empire and the Eastern Orthodox Church Disagreement over who could crown emperors worsened the split between Eastern and Western church

7.  Europe after Charlemagne Charlemagne died in 814 his son Louis took over the throne Louis’ sons struggled among themselves for power Charlemagne left a lasting legacy Extended Christianity Set up efficient governments Set an example for future rulers