Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms WH-­‐13.1 Notes Start of The Middle Ages •  Middle Ages – medieval period. Lasted from 500 to 1500. •  In the 5th Century, repeated invasions and warfare from Germanic invaders changed the economy, government, and culture. Reasons for Decline 1.  Disrup4on of Trade: Invasions lead to the breakdown of ciPes as trading centers. 2.  Downfall of Ci4es: CiPes abandoned as centers of government rule. 3.  Popula4on shi;s: As trade and government collapse, people move to rural areas. Reasons for Decline 4.  Decline of learning: Reading and wriPng decline as people move to rural areas. 5.  Loss of common language: LaPn mixes with other languages to form new ones (French, Spanish, Italian, etc) Germanic Kingdoms Emerge •  Emphasized family 4es and personal loyalty, not loyalty to government or wriWen law –  Exchange of loyalty for food, weapons, and money. •  Germanic peoples lived in small communiPes that were governed by unwriCen rules and tradi4ons. Clovis •  Clovis: leader of the Franks who control Gaul (France and Switzerland) •  Brought ChrisPanity to the region by conver4ng to Chris4anity and forming alliance with the Catholic Church. –  Believed God helped him defeat a Germanic tribe during a baWle. Clovis OrganizaPon of the Church •  Monasteries – religious communi4es -­‐ Monks gave up personal belongings and served God •  Convents – Women’s communi4es where nuns live. –  Opened schools, kept libraries, and copied books. –  Preserve part of Rome’s history and culture. Gregory I (Gregory the Great) •  Became pope in 590. •  spread papacy’s powers -­‐ became secular and involved in poliPcs •  Used church monies for armies, roads, and the poor •  Set Rome as capital of the Kingdom of Christendom –  ruled England to Germany, Spain and Italy Gregory I Small Empires •  Clovis controlled most of France •  There were seven separate kingdoms •  Ruled by major domo or “ Mayor of the palace” –  In charge of the armies and made policies. Carolingian Empire Hammer” •  719 Charles Martel “The –  defeated Muslims at BaWle of Tours –  Prevented western Europe from becoming part of the Muslim Empire. •  Pepin the Short –  Charles’ son took power •  Cooperated with the pope –  Pope appointed him king “by the Grace of God” –  Created Carolingian Dynasty Charlemagne •  Took power in 771 “Charles the Great” •  Expansion –  Spread empire and Chris4anity through invasions –  AWacked east and south –  In 1800 protected the pope from a mob –  He was crowned emperor for his help –  Joined Germany, Church, and Old Rome Charlemagne Charlemagne's Policies • 
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Limited authority of nobles Used royal agents to help control the empire Encouraged learning – built schools Controlled management of estates