1. MIDDLE AGES

2. WESTERN EUROPE EARLY MIDDLE AGES

3. ROMAN EMPIRE FALLS
FIFTH CENTURY – Germanic invaders overrun the western half of the Roman Empire
Repeated invasion and constant warfare caused a series of changes that altered the economy, government and culture

4. ROMAN EMPIRE FALLS With repeated invasions and constant warfare:
Trade disrupted – economy collapses
Cities collapse – no longer centers of administration
Population shifts – becomes rural

5. ROMAN EMPIRE FALLS
Learning decreases - Germanic invaders could not read or write
Loss of common language-Latin no longer understood
Unification no longer exists – Democracy ends

6. END OF DEMOCRACY *Rome –
*Unified by loyalty to public government and written law
*Orderly, unified government

7. END OF DEMOCRACY *Germanic Kingdoms *Family ties and personal loyalty
*Small Communities with no unwritten laws and traditions
*Ruled by a chief who led a band of warriors loyal only to him

8. GERMANIC KINGDOMS
After the decline of Roman Empire small kingdoms sprang up all over Europe –
*Largest and strongest was controlled by the Franks
*Leader was Clovis – First Christian King
*Area of France
*Greatest king was Charlemagne

9. CHARLEMAGNE *Most powerful king in Western Europe *Encouraged Learning
*Made sure nobles had limited power
*Made sure powerful landowners ruled justly