The Emergence of the Middle Ages

1. The Emergence of the Middle Ages 500AD – 1500 AD

2. Roman Empire Disappears • The Western Roman Empire was invaded by Germanic tribes • Over the years of Germanic invasion the roman empire changed politically, economically and culturally

3. Economics • Trade Declined • Merchants were being invaded and business collapsed • Money became scarce • Cities were abandoned as centers of trade

4. Political • Cities were also abandoned as centers of Government • Loyalty to public government was lost and family relationships and loyalty became the most important bond that kept Germanic people together • Lived in small communities protected by warriors • King of the village provided food and housing in times of peace but had no loyalty to him. • Kingdoms and Communities divided.

5. Culturally • Populations moved to farm and became more rural • Germanic people couldn’t read or write so study of Greek history and culture and language disappeared • Except for in the church • Latin Changed and was not a unifying language • Different dialects emerged leading to French, Spanish and More.

6. The Rise of Clovis • In Gaul (roman province now known as France and Switzerland) a Germanic people called the Franks held control • They were lead by Clovis. • A Christian who would bring Christianity to Gaul • Converted when his wife urged him to convert, and before a major battle he prayed and won, he and his army were baptized after. • By 511 Clovis had united the Franks and made a powerful partnership with the Church.

7. The Church expands • Missionaries continued to spread Christianity through the Germanic Kingdoms • Built Monasteries to adapt to the rural life of the people • Monks, men who gave up possessions and devoted their lives to serving God lead the church • Women who did the same were called Nuns and lived in Convents • Rules were written by Benidict (men) and Scholastica (women) • Monasteries and convents became the best educated centers • Wrote, copied, and maintained books in Libraries

8. Papal Power Changes • In 590 Gregory I became pope • Broadened the authority of the Pope • Became more secular, or worldly • Focused also on political issues • Became a government center • Raised armies and built roads • Negotiated peace treaties to protect the church land • Decided authority covered England to Italy and Spain to Germany • Spiritual power now would mix with secular control in Europe

9. Charles Martel • In 511 Clovis Died and power shifted in Frankish Kingdom • The role of Major Domo, or Mayor of the Palace fell from person to person without much success until 719 AD when Charles Martel became Major Domo • He used armies to expand the kingdom in all directions • Kept the Muslims in Spain • Which made the Christian leaders extremely happy and made him a European Hero • Passed his power to Peppin the Short (his son) who helped the pope and began the rule of the Carolingian Dynasty

10. Charlemagne becomes Ruler • Pepin the Short died in 768Ad and left he kingdom to his 2 sons, Carloman and Charles • Carloman died in 771 and Charles became leader • Charles was known as Charlemagne, or Charles the Great • Extended the Frankish kingdom to rival the size of the Roman Empire at its peak • Spread Christianity through the Kingdom • By 800 he had the largest current empire in Europe and the fertile crescent • In 800 Pope Leo III crowned him emperor