1. The Early Middle Ages Unit 2 Section 1
TYWL: How do religions influence political power and create cultural unity in European Regions?
I can: identify how all religions are similar. I can trace & give examples of how beliefs influence actions.

2. Question of the Day 7
Which geographic features determined the location of the early civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and India?
1)oceans and coastlines
2) rivers and valleys
3) fertile soils and plains
4) rainy seasons and forests

3. The Germanic Kingdoms
Fall of Rome, Germanic tribes divided Western Europe into small kingdoms.
(Goths, Vandals, Saxons, & Franks)
Franks strongest.
Clovis conquered Gaul & converted to Christianity, (Gaul.)
Made him ally to the Church of Rome.

4. A Muslim Empire Threatens Europe
Muslim armies crossing into France.
Charles “The Hammer” Martel (Frankish warriors) at the battle of Tours in 732 stopping the Muslims.
The Empire of Charlemagne or Charles the Great
Charlemagne, grandson of Charles Martel (began the Carolingian Dynasty).
In 799 helped Pope Leo III by crushing a rebellion in Rome.
Crowned Emperor of the Romans.

5. The Age of Charlemagne After Charlemagne
Tried to unite Christian Europe.
Spread Christianity
Sent out officials called missi dominici listen to grievances & see that justice was done.
After Charlemagne
In 843, Charlemagne’s grandsons drew up the Treaty of Verdun split the empire into three regions
Appointed nobles to rule local regions

6. A New Wave of Invasions:
Late 800s Muslims  Sicily.
Magyars  today Hungary.
Vikings looted & burned coasts & rivers of Europe. Did est. trade routes.

7. The Church and Medieval Life
Social center.
Christians paid a tithe, or a tax equal to a 1/10th of their income.
Sacraments (sacred rites of the Church).
530 monk Benedict: Benedictine rules: Monks & nuns took 3 vows: obedience, poverty, & chastity/purity.
cared for poor & sick, school & lodging to travelers.
Preserved the writings of the ancient world.

8. The Power of the Church Grows
After the fall of Rome, Church became the most powerful secular, or worldly, force.
Popes began to claim papal supremacy, or authority over all secular rulers.
Created canon law, as well as its own courts.
excommunication (cannot receive the sacraments or a Christian burial).
A noble who opposed the Church could face interdict were the entire kingdom faced excommunication.

9. A number of reform movements spread across Europe:
Abbot Berno of Cluny (Cluniac Reform) revived the Benedictine Rule: vows of obedience, poverty, and chastity.
Pope Gregory VII outlawed marriage
prohibited simony, the selling of Church offices.
St. Frances of Assisi set order to teach poverty, humility, and love of God. Set up orders for friars, who would travel to towns & preach to the poor.

10. Jews in Europe
In hard times, Christians persecuted the Jews, blaming them for economic problems, illness, & disasters.
Prejudice against Jews is called anti-Semitism.