The Early Middle Ages Ch 8 sec1
Geography of Western Europe Rome linked its distant European territories with ROADS! That led to the spread of: -Latin Language -Christianity throughout tribal peoples of w. europe. Shift in power from Mediterranean (Romans) to central Europe (Germanic peoples)
Geography continued Location: Europe is small, globally central, easy to travel and trade through. Resources: From 500-1000 AD, Europe was NOT the political and cultural center it is today, it was a FRONTIER (wilderness, comparatively few people who were not very civilized) Dense forests, rich soil, mineral resources, nearby seas, lots of large rivers… all the makings of a FUTURE great center of power!
The Germanic Kingdoms No large cities, organized militaries, written laws, complex government… the Germanic people were farmers and herders who made war on each other and anyone else for their own profit. In other words, they weren’t very civilized or sophisticated at first.
The Franks (400-700) Largest and strongest of this time were the Franks Led by CLOVIS, who achieved the following: -conquered Gaul (former Roman province) -united various people under his rule -converted to Christianity: spreads the faith, creates a powerful ally with Rome.
The baptism of Clovis in Reims in 496 made him the only barbarian Christian king and won him increased support from his former Roman subjects in Gaul. This romantic recreation of the event was by François-Louis Dejuinne (1786-1844), completed in 1837
Emergence of the Muslim World As the Franks and other Germanic peoples were carving up Europe, another power was growing in the Mediterranean… the religion of Islam and a spreading Muslim empire. (More on the development of Islam in Ch11) Muslim armies will extend control across N. Africa and into Spain… this freaks out ALL of the peoples of Europe. Charles Martel (leader of the Franks) will stop Muslim expansion into Europe in 732 Battle of Tours. The Muslims would turn out to be beneficial to Europe in the long run… they maintained a tradition of learning and science while Europe went through its dark age… it was the Muslims who the Europeans would go to when their interest in learning returned.
Spread of Islam
Mosque in Cordoba, Spain built by the Moors who conquered the Iberian peninsula during the Middle Ages and created a thriving, multicultural society lasting 700 yrs
The Age of Charlemagne (Charles the Great) 800-846 AD Built an empire reaching across France, Germany, and part of Italy. Loved to battle alongside his men. Fought many different groups and reunited much of what was once the Roman Empire. In the year 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne “Emperor of the Romans”… a GERMAN was named successor to the Roman Emperors (proof that power had shifted north). -creates future conflict between Roman Catholic popes and German Emperors -helped widen the split between Eastern empire and Western.
Charlemagne’s Reforms Government: -unity through Christianity: converting conquered peoples -appointed powerful nobles to rule local regions -missi dominici: Charlemagne’s “eyes and ears” and administrators of the law Learning: (education had declined since the fall of the Roman Empire… a lot!) -revival of Latin learning in his empire -founded a school at Aachen under Alcuin of York who created a curriculum that became the basis of future learning institutions throughout Europe
After Charlemagne After Charlemagne died in 814, his empire soon fell apart (just like Alexander the Great!). His heirs battled for power for nearly 30 yrs. The Treaty of Verdun split the empire into 3 pieces
Legacy of Charlemagne Extended the Christian civilization Increased the blending of German, Roman, and Christian traditions Set up strong, efficient governments Provided an example for future rulers to follow
A New Wave of Invasions Muslim forces take Sicily, which becomes a trading center under them. Magyars overrun eastern Europe and attack western Europe for 50 years. Vikings will provide the final crushing blow to what was left of Charlemagne’s empire. Vikings really got around! -Mediterranean, England, Ireland, N. France, Russia, Leif Erikson settles NORTH AMERICA 1000 AD