1. Charlemagne and the Franks
In this lesson, students will be able to identify effects of the fall of Rome as well as the rise of Charlemagne and the Franks.
Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms:
Effects of the Fall of Rome
Franks
Charlemagne
Feudalism
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2. The fall of Rome brought many important changes to Western Europe.
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3. Effects of the Fall of Rome
Germanic tribes took over Roman lands.
Hundreds of little kingdoms took the place of the Western Roman Empire in Europe.
Initially, there was no system for collecting taxes.
Kingdoms were always at war with one another.
People lost interest in learning.
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4. Warfare increased. Trade decreased.
The “Dark Ages” began.
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5. The “Dark Ages”
Historians call the period following the fall of Rome the “Dark Ages.”
Formerly, this period is known as the beginning of the Middle Ages.
It was a time of increased warfare, decreased trade, and a decline in learning.
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6. Clovis was an important king of the Franks. The Franks were one of the
largest
Germanic
tribes.
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7. Clovis and the Franks
In A.D. 481, Clovis united the Franks and became their king.
Clovis converted to the Roman Catholic faith.
Essentially, the Franks blended Germanic and Roman cultural practices.
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8. Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 768 A.D. He conquered
a vast empire
and tried
to recreate
the glory of the
Roman
Empire.
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9. Charlemagne
Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 768 A.D. He tried to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire.
He conquered a vast empire and was proclaimed Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope Leo III.
He gave land to his nobles in exchange for their loyalty and military service.
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10. Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne “Holy
Roman Emperor”.
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11. During his reign, Charlemagne tried to
recreate the Roman Empire. However,
after his death, the empire declined.
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12. The Rise of Feudalism
While Charlemagne’s descendants were not able to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire, the Franks did greatly affect life in the Middle Ages.
Indeed, the Frankish practice of giving land to nobles in exchange for loyalty and military service spread throughout Western Europe.
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13. Life during the Middle Ages was based on a series of exchanges.
Lesser Lords obeyed
more powerful Lords in
exchange for
land.
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14. Questions for Reflection:
Why did historians call the early Middle Ages the “Dark Ages”?
Who was Clovis and how did his conversion affect the Franks?
Why did Pope Leo III crown Charlemagne “Holy Roman Emperor”?
Define feudalism.
How is feudalism different from other political systems?
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