13.1 charlemagne unites germanic kingdoms

13.1 Charlemagne Unites 13.1 Charlemagne Unites Germanic KingdomsGermanic Kingdoms

Many Germanic kingdoms that Many Germanic kingdoms that succeeded the Roman Empire are succeeded the Roman Empire are reunited under Charlemagne’s reunited under Charlemagne’s empire.empire.

Invasions of Western EuropeInvasions of Western Europe

Effects of Constant Invasions and Effects of Constant Invasions and WarfareWarfare Germanic invaders overrun western Germanic invaders overrun western

Roman Empire in 400sRoman Empire in 400s Fighting disrupts trade and government; Fighting disrupts trade and government;

people abandon citiespeople abandon cities Marks the beginning of the Marks the beginning of the Middle Middle

AgesAges—period from 500 to 1500—period from 500 to 1500

Germanic KingdomsGermanic Kingdoms


The Decline of LearningThe Decline of Learning As cities are abandoned, level of As cities are abandoned, level of

learning declineslearning declines Knowledge of Greek language and Knowledge of Greek language and

culture is almost completely lostculture is almost completely lost


Loss of a Common LanguageLoss of a Common Language Introduction of German language Introduction of German language

changes Latin; dialects developchanges Latin; dialects develop

Germanic Kingdoms EmergeGermanic Kingdoms Emerge

Years of Upheaval Between 400 and Years of Upheaval Between 400 and 600600 Germanic kingdoms replace Roman Germanic kingdoms replace Roman

provincesprovinces Continual wars change borders between Continual wars change borders between

kingdomskingdoms The Church provides order and securityThe Church provides order and security


The Concept of Government ChangesThe Concept of Government Changes Germans held together by family ties Germans held together by family ties

and loyalty, not governmentand loyalty, not government Small communities are governed by Small communities are governed by

unwritten rules and traditionsunwritten rules and traditions Germanic warriors pledge loyalty to Germanic warriors pledge loyalty to

their chief; live in lord’s halltheir chief; live in lord’s hall


Clovis Rules the FranksClovis Rules the Franks Germanic people called Franks hold Germanic people called Franks hold

power in Roman province of Gaulpower in Roman province of Gaul Clovis, leader of the Franks, converts to Clovis, leader of the Franks, converts to

Christianity in 496Christianity in 496 Leads warriors against other Germanic Leads warriors against other Germanic

armiesarmies Unites Franks into one kingdom with Unites Franks into one kingdom with

Church’s help by 511Church’s help by 511

Germans Adopt ChristianityGermans Adopt Christianity

How the Church SpreadHow the Church Spread Frankish rulers convert Germanic Frankish rulers convert Germanic

peoples to Christianitypeoples to Christianity Missionaries travel to convert Germanic Missionaries travel to convert Germanic

and Celtic groupsand Celtic groups


Monasteries, Convents, and Monasteries, Convents, and ManuscriptsManuscripts Church builds monasteries—where monks Church builds monasteries—where monks

live to study and serve Godlive to study and serve God Italian monk, Benedict, writes rules that Italian monk, Benedict, writes rules that

govern monastic lifegovern monastic life His sister Scholastica adapts rules for His sister Scholastica adapts rules for

nuns living in conventsnuns living in convents Monks establish schools, preserve Monks establish schools, preserve

learning through librarieslearning through libraries


Papal Power Expands Under Gregory IPapal Power Expands Under Gregory I In 590, Gregory I, also called Gregory the In 590, Gregory I, also called Gregory the

Great, becomes popeGreat, becomes pope Under Gregory, Church becomes secular—a Under Gregory, Church becomes secular—a

political powerpolitical power Pope’s palace becomes center of Roman Pope’s palace becomes center of Roman

governmentgovernment Uses Church money to raise armies, care for Uses Church money to raise armies, care for

poor, negotiate treatiespoor, negotiate treaties Establishes a Christendom—churchly kingdom Establishes a Christendom—churchly kingdom

fanning out from Romefanning out from Rome

An Empire EvolvesAn Empire Evolves

Europe’s KingdomsEurope’s Kingdoms The Franks control largest and strongest The Franks control largest and strongest

of Europe’s many kingdomsof Europe’s many kingdoms By 511, Frankish rule extends over what By 511, Frankish rule extends over what

is now Franceis now France

An Empire EvolvesAn Empire Evolves

Charles Martel EmergesCharles Martel Emerges Most powerful official in kingdom is Most powerful official in kingdom is

major domo—mayor of the palacemajor domo—mayor of the palace In 719, major domo Charles Martel In 719, major domo Charles Martel

becomes more powerful than kingbecomes more powerful than king Defeats Muslims from Spain at Tours in Defeats Muslims from Spain at Tours in

732; becomes a Christian hero732; becomes a Christian hero Son, Pepin, begins Carolingian DynastySon, Pepin, begins Carolingian Dynasty

—family that ruled 751–987—family that ruled 751–987

Charlemagne Becomes EmperorCharlemagne Becomes Emperor

From Pepin to From Pepin to CharlemagneCharlemagne Pepin dies in 768, Pepin dies in 768,

leaves kingdom to leaves kingdom to two sons; in 771 two sons; in 771 one son diesone son dies

Second son, Second son, Charlemagne Charlemagne (Charles the Great), (Charles the Great), rules kingdomrules kingdom


Charlemagne Extends Frankish RuleCharlemagne Extends Frankish Rule Charlemagne’s armies reunite western Charlemagne’s armies reunite western

Europe, spread ChristianityEurope, spread Christianity In 800, Charlemagne travels to Rome to In 800, Charlemagne travels to Rome to

protect Pope Leo III from mobsprotect Pope Leo III from mobs Pope crowns Charlemagne emperor; Pope crowns Charlemagne emperor;

gives him title, “Roman Emperor”gives him title, “Roman Emperor” Germanic power, Church, heritage of Germanic power, Church, heritage of

Roman Empire now joined togetherRoman Empire now joined together


Charlemagne Leads a RevivalCharlemagne Leads a Revival Charlemagne limits nobles’ power by Charlemagne limits nobles’ power by

governing through royal agentsgoverning through royal agents Encourages learning and orders Encourages learning and orders

monasteries to open schoolsmonasteries to open schools


Charlemagne’s HeirsCharlemagne’s Heirs Charlemagne dies in 814; his son, Louis Charlemagne dies in 814; his son, Louis

the Pious, rules poorlythe Pious, rules poorly Louis’s three grandsons fight for control Louis’s three grandsons fight for control

of empireof empire In 843 they divide empire into three In 843 they divide empire into three

kingdoms; sign Treaty of Verdunkingdoms; sign Treaty of Verdun

13.1 charlemagne unites germanic kingdoms

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