1. Europe After the Romans

2. Rome Fell Because … No strong or consistent leaders
The capital was moved to Constantinople
The Roman people became lazy
The borders were too big to protect
Barbarians were much bigger and attached from the north and east

3. Constantinople Constantine made Constantinople the new capital
He chose that site because it was easy to protect and a great spot for trade
Constantinople was modeled after Rome (The New Rome)
It quickly became a city of wealth and power
Located in present day Turkey

4. Rome’s Legacy Is famous for bringing the world: Domes and arches
The Republic form of government
New laws
Aqueducts and other architectural advances
Latin

5. The Germanic Tribes The Germanic people were mainly herders
They were called Barbarians by the Romans because of their language which the Romans said sounded like babble
The Germans had no real form of government
Attacked Rome after being pushed from their home lands by the Huns
Odoacer became the first German king of the Italian Peninsula

6. A Changing Life People of Europe began to live on Manors
Manors were controlled by Kings, wealthy land owners, or nobles
Peasants farmed the land owned by the wealthy
In the Manor system, Kings gave land to nobles in return for protection
Nobles protected the peasants and gave them land to farm. In return the peasant gave the nobles part of their harvest
Life was not good for peasants

7. The Church in the Middle Ages
The Pope was the most powerful person in Europe during the Middle Ages
Clovis became the first Germanic leader to convert to Christianity
Saint Patrick converted most of Ireland to Roman Catholic
Pope Gregory I created rules of behavior for priests and set up monasteries
Charlemagne united almost all of Germanic tribes into Christianity

8. Charlemagne
He was a great warrior who conquered much of Spain and central Europe
Charlemagne protected Rome and was given the title of Emperor
He wanted to unite Europe under Christianity
He improved education so more people could read and write

9. The Vikings
The Vikings were from the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark
The Vikings were originally farmers who needed more land and crops for their growing population
The Vikings traveled by long ships to conquer other lands
Reached Newfoundland and Labrador in North America