The Rise of Europe

1. The Rise of Europe

2. Central Questions • How did Western Europe change… • from when it was part of Rome • after the fall of Rome • under the rule of Charlemagne • after Charlemagne’s death

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6. The Decline of Rome • The Roman Empire had spread to include a lot of modern Europe, especially Western Europe • After the Roman Empire fell, control of Western Europe was lost • From 500-1000 AD • Western Europe was divided politically • Western Europe was cut off from the more advanced civilizations in the East • Waves of invaders came in (Germanic tribes that were culturally farmers/herders, had no written laws, and very different from Romans) • People moved from the cities back to villages and learning decreased

7. The Middle Ages • For all these reasons, this area declined politically, socially, and economically and the area entered a time that is sometimes called “The Dark Ages” • “The Dark Ages” is now usually called “The Middle Ages” • The culture is called “Medieval” • Greco-Roman, Germanic (the invading group), and Christian traditions blended and created a new civilization • Time period: 500-1500 AD

9. The Franks • There were many Germanic tribes that all conquered part of the former Roman Empire • The Franks were the one that managed to go on to conquer some of the OTHER tribes and gain more land • 486: Clovis, King of the Franks conquered Gaul (which became France) • When Clovis converted to Christianity, he gained the support of the Pope (leader of the Christian church), which was a powerful and important step

10. New Neighbors • In the 600s, the religion of Islam began in present-day Saudi Arabia and began to spread out from there • They made it all the way to present-day Spain and crossed into France, but were turned back by Charles Martel and his warriors (who figured God was on their Frankish side) • The new Muslim civilization made a home in Spain…eventually, the Europeans traded with them

12. Charlemagne • Charles Martel’s grandson, also named Charles, outdid him by being called “Charles the Great,” or “Charlemagne” • Became king of the Franks in 768 AD • Built an empire reaching across present-day France, Germany, and part of Italy (Western Roman Empire Reloaded?)

13. Charlemagne Shakes Things Up • Charlemagne helped the Pope with some power struggles he was having with his nobles • In return, Pope Leo crowed him Emperor of the Romans • The actual Roman emperor in the Eastern Empire (Byzantine Empire) wasn’t too pleased by this • Set up Europe for major power struggles between the Pope/Church and Emperors • Charlemagne sent out missionaries to convert all his kingdom so that it would be united and nobles to make sure justice was carried out in all provinces • Made education a priority (can you tell we’re related?) so that he could revive the glory of Rome

14. Europe After Charlemagne • Charlemagne died in 814 and his son Louis I took over • Later, Louis’ sons battled for power and split the empire into three parts • Charlemagne’s Legacy: • Extended Christianity • Blended civilizations further, even in more remote areas • Set up a strong and efficient government • Invaders • Late 700s: Vikings in Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, and Denmark) started raiding and looting northern European cities (and also traded and explored quite a bit; more on them later!) • 800s: Muslim invaders took over Sicily • around 900-950: Magyars settled in Hungary and overran Eastern Europe (then Western Europe), plundering as they went