1. The Early Middle Ages
Chapter 8

2. Chapter 8 section 1 vocabulary
15 minutes to work on vocab
Medieval
Frontier
Missi dominici
Curriculum

3. Geography Geography had a powerful effect on the development of Europe
Europe expands all the way from present day Portugal to China
Roman roads allowed Germanic tribes to overrun Europe from about 476 to 700

4. Resources Many natural resources Oceans and seas surrounded Europe
Forests for timber
Fertile soil for crops
Minerals like iron and coal
Oceans and seas surrounded Europe
Used them for fishing, trading and transportation

5. Germanic Kingdoms
The Franks emerged as the most powerful and successful tribes in Gaul (present day France)
Clovis was their kings… a brilliant and ruthless leader
Converted to Christianity which gained him the most powerful ally… the Christian Church

6. Charlemagne Frankish king during the 800s
Empire stretched across France, Germany, and part of Italy

7. Cooperation with the Church
Charlemagne helped Pope Leo III by defeating Roman nobles in battle
Pope Leo III in return crowned Charlemagne “Holy Roman Emperor”
He strengthened his rule and attempted to unite Europe
In doing this he spread Christianity to all parts of his empire

8. Government He appointed nobles to rule local areas
Gave nobles land in return for their help with defense
To keep control on these nobles he sent officials (missi dominici) to check up on the conditions of his empire

9. Learning Set up schools to ensure education for government officials
Creating an insurance policy
Making sure his future officials are educated
Libraries so scholars could copy ancient texts
The Bible
Science and history texts

10. End of an Era Charlemagne died in 814 Empire quickly fell apart
His heirs battled for control
Grandsons signed a treaty in 843 dividing his empire into three kingdoms
Charlemagne’s strong government was a model for future rulers