The Early Middle Ages

Chapter 8The Early Middle AgesChapter 8 section 1 vocabulary15 minutes to work on vocabMedievalFrontierMissi dominiciCurriculum

GeographyGeography 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 700ResourcesMany natural resources Forests for timberFertile soil for cropsMinerals like iron and coal

Oceans and seas surrounded EuropeUsed them for fishing, trading and transportationGermanic KingdomsThe 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 ChurchCharlemagneFrankish king during the 800s

Empire stretched across France, Germany, and part of Italy

Cooperation with the ChurchCharlemagne helped Pope Leo III by defeating Roman nobles in battlePope Leo III in return crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor

He strengthened his rule and attempted to unite EuropeIn doing this he spread Christianity to all parts of his empireGovernmentHe 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 empireLearningSet up schools to ensure education for government officialsCreating an insurance policyMaking sure his future officials are educated

Libraries so scholars could copy ancient textsThe BibleScience and history texts End of an EraCharlemagne died in 814

Empire quickly fell apartHis heirs battled for control

Grandsons signed a treaty in 843 dividing his empire into three kingdoms

Charlemagnes strong government was a model for future rulers