1. Europe c. 500 CE

2. The Early Middle Ages (circa. 500 to 1000 CE)
476 CE - The Western Roman Empire collapses as the last Roman Emperor abdicates the throne to Germanic generals
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Late 400s - Many Roman governors continue to rule in their territories as the population of Roman cities dwindles. Germanic invaders organize into separate kingdoms.
486 – Clovis rises to power and unites all the Franks under his authority.

3. Clovis I: King of the Franks c. 500 CE
496 – Urged by his wife, converts to Christianity after a successful battle against Germanics
511 – unites the Franks under one kingdom
Clovis forces his nobles to convert as well.

4. Clovis: King of the Franks…Am I carrying a cross…or sword????

5. The Early Middle Ages (circa. 500 to 1000 CE)
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After Clovis’ death, unity in W. Europe declines.
c. 500 – Populations in urban centers and trade decline as further Germanic invasions force people to flee.
As unity in W. Europe fails as a new power begins to rise in the Middle East…

6. W. Europe and the Islamic Empire… circa 732 CE

7. Conflict: The Battle of Tours, 732 CE

8. Quotes on the Battle of Tours
"The Battle of Tours rescued our ancestors of Britain and our neighbors of Gaul from the civil and religious yoke of the Koran. Had Charles Martel not won, the spires of Oxford would have been minarets." – Edward Gibbon
“The Battle of Tours was a setback for civilization in the face of Barbarism” – Anatole France