Transcript Charlemagne and the Franks

The Dark Ages
(approximately 500-1000 AD)
Students will be able to identify and/or
define the following terms:
Effects of the Fall of Rome
Franks
Charlemagne
Feudalism
The “Dark Ages”
• Historians call the period following the fall
of Rome the “Dark Ages.”
• This period is known as the beginning of
the “Middle Ages” (the time between the
fall of Rome and the Renaissance).
The fall of Rome brought many important
changes to Western Europe.
Warfare increased. Trade decreased.
The “Dark Ages” began.
Effects of the Fall of Rome
• Germanic tribes took over Roman lands.
• Hundreds of little kingdoms took the place
of the Western Roman Empire in Europe.
• Kingdoms were always at war with one
another.
• People lost interest in learning.
Europe’s Geography
Geography made Europe difficult to unite. Today, it is the
second smallest continent but has 50 countries. Its division
can be traced back to the many tribes in the Dark Ages.
Clovis was
an important
king of the
Franks. The
Franks were
one of the
largest
Germanic
tribes.
Clovis and the Franks
• In A.D. 481, Clovis united the Franks and
became their king.
• Clovis converted to the Roman Catholic
faith.
• Essentially, the Franks blended Germanic
and Roman cultural practices.
Charlemagne
became king
of the Franks
in 768 A.D.
He conquered
a vast empire
and tried
to recreate
the glory of the
Roman
Empire.
Charlemagne
• He conquered great amounts of land
including parts of present-day France,
Germany, and Italy
• He was proclaimed Emperor of the Holy
Roman Empire by Pope Leo III.
• He gave land to his nobles in exchange for
their loyalty and military service.
Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne “Holy
Roman Emperor.”
Charlemagne's Achievements
• Government: Officials called missi
dominici were sent to check on nobles and
ensure justice.
• Learning: Wanted his capital at Aachen to
be “a second Rome.” Created a
curriculum, or formal course of study.
• Extended Christianity into Northern
Europe.
• Blended German, Roman, and Christian
traditions.
During his reign, Charlemagne tried to
recreate the Roman Empire. However,
after his death, the empire declined.
Effects of Charlemagne
• While Charlemagne’s descendants were
not able to recreate the glory of the
Roman Empire, the Franks did have
effects:
1. Christianity continued to spread.
2. His government was an example for later
monarchs.
3.The Frankish practice of giving land to nobles
in exchange for loyalty and military service
spread throughout Western Europe.
Feudalism
• Life during the Middle Ages was based on
a series of exchanges.
• Lesser Lords obeyed more powerful Lords
in exchange for land. They also gave the
more powerful lords military service.
• Peasants, known as serfs, gave their lords
a portion of crops in return for protection.
Questions for Review:
• Why did historians call the early Middle
Ages the “Dark Ages”?
• Who was Clovis and how did his
conversion affect the Franks?
• Why did Pope Leo III crown Charlemagne
“Holy Roman Emperor”?
• How is feudalism different from other
political systems?