1. Intro to the Middle Ages
Global Ms. Neubauer

2. When Was the Middle Ages?
It spanned the year 500 to the year 1500.

3. How did we get here? The fall of the Roman Empire! Trade declined
Education and literacy declined
Decentralized government

4. The Middle Ages had roots in…
The classical heritage of Rome
The beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church
3. The customs of various Germanic Tribes.

5. Invasions of Western Europe
Germanic tribes invaded Europe which caused
Disruption of trade
Downfall of cities
Population shifts
Decline of learning
Loss of a common language

6. Germanic Tribes Family ties and personal loyalty
Governed by unwritten rules and traditions
Fought for their lord who they were loyal to.

7. The Franks The most powerful of the Germanic tribes
Located in present day France and Switzerland

9. Clovis

10. Leader of the Franks in Gaul.
Converted to Christianity and brought it to his people. He spread Christianity throughout Europe.
By 511 he united the Franks into one Kingdom.

11. Why was it so important that Clovis converted to Christianity?

12. Spreading Christianity
Clovis made a strategic alliance between the Frankish Kingdom and the Church.
All Germanic people began converting
Missionaries began spreading Christianity throughout Europe.(dangerous)

14. Monasteries began… Monasteries- Church-built religious communities.
Christian men called “monks” gave up their private possessions and devoted their lives to God.
Women who did the same lived in convents.

15. Monk named Benedict created a strict code of rules for monasteries to follow.
These guidelines became the model for religious communities

16. Monasteries Became centers for learning and education
Preserved books, religious writings, and manuscripts of Roman literature