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