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Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms

Learn about Charlemagne, the powerful Frankish king who united most of Western Europe under Christianity and established the Holy Roman Empire. Explore the roots of medieval culture, the decline of civilization after the fall of the Roman Empire, and the mutually beneficial relationship between the Frankish kings and the Pope. Discover the significance of Charles Martel's victory at the Battle of Tours and Charlemagne's greatest achievement in reuniting Western Europe.

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Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms

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  1. Chapter 13 Sec 1 Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms Homework Review

  2. Middle Ages • A.k.a. the Medieval Period • The era of European history between the Fall of the Western Roman Empire (in 476 A.D.) and the start of the Renaissance (~1350 A.D.)

  3. The Franks • A group of Germanic tribesthat had invaded the Western Roman empire in the 5th century & carved out the Roman province of Gaul for themselves. • They held power over most of modern day France (hence the name France = “land of the Franks”).

  4. Clovis • A Frankish King who united with the Catholic Church, became the king of the Franks and by 511 A.D. had united the Franks into one kingdom. • A brutal king who ruled with an iron fist, using torture and assassination to maintain control. (killed members of his own family b/c he saw them as a threat to his power).

  5. Monastery (men) / Convent (women) • A Religious Communityof Monks • Men who have taken vows such as poverty, and obedience, to dedicate their lives to God. • Women (nuns) could do the same, but a such a religious community of women was called a Convent. • Monasteries and Convents were the centers of learning in the M.A. They were the only places a person could get an education & learn to read. • They were places of order in a very chaotic world.

  6. Benedict • Started a religious order of monks known as The Benedictine Order ~520 A.D. • Wrote a book outlining the rules for monastic life. • His work set the standard for proper behavior for a person who dedicates their life to God and self-less service to others. • Attracted many followers who liked the strict rules and regulated life a monastery.

  7. Gregory I(The Great) • Became Pope (head of the Roman Catholic Church) in 590. • He expanded the church’s authority beyond the spiritual and into the secular (worldly or political sphere of influence).

  8. Secular • “Worldly” often in regards to Political issues. • Having to deal with the non-religious aspects of life.

  9. Charles Martel • Known as “Charles the Hammer” b/c he defeated the invading Moors (An Islamic invasion from Spain) in 732 at the Battle of Tours. • His Descendants would rule France as kings, starting the Carolingian Dynasty (Charlemagne was his grandson) but he was not a king, he was the kings “mayor of the palace” or “Major domo” and held the real power.

  10. Battle of Tours • A Battle fought in 732 between the Christian Franks and the Muslim Moors from Spain. • The Franks win – sending the Moors back to Spain – turning the Christians from defensive to the offensive (eventually taking back all of Spain).

  11. Charlemagne (Charles the Great) • Powerful Frankish king who came to power in 771. • He increased his power through conquest – conquering a huge empire that united most of Western Europe. • Crowned Holy Roman Empire by Pope Leo III in 800. • Important b/c it institutionalized the role of the church crowning – giving authority – to the rulers of Europe. • Centralized his power by dividing territories into “counties” each controlled by a “count” that was loyal to him – he also travelled throughout his kingdom personally to ensure his rule was obeyed.

  12. 3. What were 3 roots of medieval culture in western Europe? • Roman heritage (what the Romans left behind). • Roman Catholicism (Christianity with the Pope at the top). • Tribal customs of the invading Germanic Tribes which settled into the old Roman Empire.

  13. 4. What were 3 ways that civilization declined after the fall of the Roman Empire? • Disruption of Trade = Downfall of Urban life (City Life) and a return to a rural (agricultural) lifestyle shifting Population to the countryside. • Decentralized government / collapse of a Central government. • Decline of education & a common language.

  14. 5. What was the most important achievement of Pope Gregory I? • Made the Papacy (the office of the Pope) into a secular (worldly) power.

  15. 6. How was the relationship between the Frankish kings and the pope mutually beneficial? • The Franks protected the Church – were the “holy warriors” for Christendom. • The Church gave the Frankish king credibility (now if you didn’t obey the government you were punished by the government and God!)

  16. 7. Why was Charles Martel’s victory at the Battle of Tours so important for Christianity? • If Martel had lost, all of Western Europe may have been conquered by Islam – history as we know it today would be vastly different.

  17. 8. What was Charlemagne’s Greatest achievement? • Reuniting Western Europe under Christianity. • Imp b/c the influence of the Christian Church would have huge positive and negative consequences in the future. • Ex: In Ch 14 Christian Europe will launch a Holy Crusade to take back Jerusalem. This war would reinforce hostile relations between Christians and Muslims that lasts still in modern times.

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