Beginning of the Dark Ages SAHS
Fall of Rome (~410) The Roman Empire brought order to European tribes When the Romans retreated, Europe no longer benefited from Roman technology, education, and leadership
Germanic Tribes Germanic tribes take over Europe in the absence of Roman protection This results in the following: Disruption of Trade Downfall of Cities Population Shifts These changes lead to a decline in societies across Europe
Disruption of Trade Rome no longer protected trade routes Travel across Europe became unsafe Land and sea pirates People no longer had an incentive to leave their communities Europe becomes poor
Downfall of Cities With no central government, cities become horrible places to live Crime Disease People move out of cities into small communities
Population Shifts The wealthy move to the countryside where they can create their own kingdoms The poor move to the countryside to grow food Large cities in Europe become small towns
Decline of Education Germanic tribes were illiterate Only priests and church officials could read/write People forgot how to read Greek Science, philosophy, math
No Education Leads to Dark Ages A lack of education reversed technology Europeans did not think for themselves The church had complete control of knowledge
No Common Language Latin no longer was understood by the common people Latin morphs into French, Spanish, Italian, and many others Germanic tribes spread their language English, Dutch, German
Germanic Kingdoms Emerge After Rome, loyalties to central governments are weak People are more loyal to family and local allegiances Germanic chiefs become kings
Germanic Chiefs Germanic chiefs hire permanent armies Paid in food, shelter, and privilege Armies were loyal to individuals, not to a country Chiefs would use their armies to expand their influence and conquer rival chiefs
The Franks The Franks were the first Germanic tribe to establish a large kingdom Had the support of the Christian Church in Rome
Clovis the Frank In 496, Clovis converted to Christianity because of his wife and winning a battle The church supports his military campaigns Unites other tribes and creates a kingdom.
Germans Adopt Christianity Politics becomes the fastest way to spread Christianity By 600 CE, most of Germany had converted to Christianity by the Franks Missionaries risk their lives to spread their religion
Saint Patrick in Ireland
Monasteries and Convents Church built religious communities that support life in rural Europe Monks = Monasteries Nuns = Convents Many families donated children to live in monasteries and convents
Benedict & Scholastica Brother and sister Established a strict life for monks and nuns Devoted life of prayer Balance of work and study Poor life of service Strict rules to maintain order and discipline
Monasteries Become Europe s best-educated communities Monks ran schools for the nobility Monks wrote books and created religious art
Papal Power Expands Pope Gregory I (590 CE) Grants the papacy secular powers Gets involved in politics Raised armies to enforce the will of the pope Negotiated peace treaties between rival rulers
Kings need the Pope Kings could only be crowned if the pope approved Popes could take land/power from the nobles In many places, the bishops/priest were more wealthy than the nobles
An Empire Evolves After Rome, small kingdoms pop up all over Europe 7 in England The Franks were the largest The Franks, with the blessing of the pope, conquer weaker kingdoms
Charles Martel Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer ) His education makes him more powerful than the king of the Franks Defeats the Muslim armies and saves Christianity Pope names him king
Charlemagne Son of Charles Martel Becomes the model European king Expands the Kingdom of the Franks Spreads Christianity through conquering Protects the pope from his enemies Pope makes him emperor
Charlemagne Limits the power of other nobles Educates his family, the monks, and no one else His heirs fight for control and the Franken Kingdom is split into three
Questions 1. What happens to Europe after the fall of Rome? 2. What are monasteries? 3. Who is Charlemagne?