The Rise of Europe Section 1 The Early Middle Ages

Geography of Western Europe Europe is the second smallest in land area of the seven continents. Europe is the second smallest in land area of the seven continents. It lies on the western end of Eurasia, the giant land-mass that stretches from present-day Portugal in the west all the way to China in the east. It lies on the western end of Eurasia, the giant land-mass that stretches from present-day Portugal in the west all the way to China in the east.

Geography of Western Europe From , this region was a frontier land- a sparsely populated, undeveloped area on the outskirts of civilization.

Resources Forests in the north, better suited for raising crops, underground lay mineral resources, seas provided food and transportation, and rivers were ideal for trade. Forests in the north, better suited for raising crops, underground lay mineral resources, seas provided food and transportation, and rivers were ideal for trade.

The Germanic Kingdoms Germanic Germanic tribes who migrated across Europe were farmers and herders. Governed Governed by unwritten laws. Elected Elected Kings. Warrior Warrior nobles swore loyalty to the king in exchange for weapons and loot.

The Franks The strongest kingdom to emerge between were the Franks. The strongest kingdom to emerge between were the Franks. Clovis, king of the Franks, conquered the former Roman province of Gaul Clovis, king of the Franks, conquered the former Roman province of Gaul Clovis converted to Christianity Clovis converted to Christianity

Europe and the Muslim World The religion of Islam appeared in Arabia in 622. The religion of Islam appeared in Arabia in 622. European Christians were stunned when Muslim armies overran Christian lands from Palestine to North Africa to Spain. European Christians were stunned when Muslim armies overran Christian lands from Palestine to North Africa to Spain. At the Battle of Tours in 732, Charles Martel rallied Frankish warriors against the Muslim armies. At the Battle of Tours in 732, Charles Martel rallied Frankish warriors against the Muslim armies.

The Age of Charlemagne Around 800, Europe was united by an emperor named Charlemagne. He loved battles during his 46-year reign. Conquests reunited much of the old Roman Empire.

The Age of Charlemagne In 800, Pope Leo III called on Charlemagne for help against rebellious nobles in Rome. In 800, Pope Leo III called on Charlemagne for help against rebellious nobles in Rome. On Christmas Day, the pope proclaimed Charlemagne Emperor of the Romans. On Christmas Day, the pope proclaimed Charlemagne Emperor of the Romans. A Christian pope crowned a German king successor to the Roman emperors. A Christian pope crowned a German king successor to the Roman emperors.

Government under Charlemagne Had missionaries spread Christianity across the empire. Had missionaries spread Christianity across the empire. Appointed powerful nobles to rule local regions. Appointed powerful nobles to rule local regions. Sent out officials called missi dominici to check on roads, listen to grievances, and to see that justice was being done. Sent out officials called missi dominici to check on roads, listen to grievances, and to see that justice was being done.

Revival of Learning Charlemagne founded a school at Aachen under the direction of a respected scholar named Alcuin of York. Charlemagne founded a school at Aachen under the direction of a respected scholar named Alcuin of York. Alcuin created a curriculum. Alcuin created a curriculum.

Life After Charlemagne The empire fell apart soon after Charlemagne died in 814. The empire fell apart soon after Charlemagne died in 814. In 843, Charlemagne’s grandsons drew up the Treaty of Verdun, which split the empire into three regions. In 843, Charlemagne’s grandsons drew up the Treaty of Verdun, which split the empire into three regions.

Legacy of Charlemagne Charlemagne extended Christian civilization into northern Europe and furthered the blending of German, Roman, and Christian civilizations. Charlemagne extended Christian civilization into northern Europe and furthered the blending of German, Roman, and Christian civilizations. Set up a strong, efficient governments. Set up a strong, efficient governments.

A New Wave of Invasions In the late 800’s, the Muslim forces conquered Sicily, which became a thriving center of Islamic culture. In the late 800’s, the Muslim forces conquered Sicily, which became a thriving center of Islamic culture. 896 the nomadic Magyars settled in what is today Hungary. 896 the nomadic Magyars settled in what is today Hungary. The Vikings settled outside of Scandinavia. The Vikings settled outside of Scandinavia. Opened trade routes that linked northern Europe to the Mediterranean lands. Opened trade routes that linked northern Europe to the Mediterranean lands.

Medieval The period from about is known today as the Middle Ages because it came between the fall of Rome and the start of the modern era.