The Early Middle Ages

Western Europe in Decline Post Roman Empire

Political decline Social decline Economic decline

Dark Ages Middle Ages

500 AD to 1500 AD

The Franks

486, Clovis conquers Gaul

Clovis converted to Christianity

Gained allegiance of Christian Church in Rome

Muslim Empires

Huge empire beginning to form Palestine to North Africa to present

day Spain

Battle of Tours

Muslim army crossed into France

Charles Martel rallied Frankish warriors

Christians triumphed

Sign of God?

Charlemagne

Grandson of Charles Martel

King of Franks Became known as

Charlemagne “Charles the Great”

Pope Leo III

Asked for Charlemagne’s help against rebellious nobles in Rome

800 AD, Christmas Day

The Pope proclaimed him Emperor

Eastern Roman Empire

Flourishing Eastern emperor

saw himself as the sole Roman ruler

Paraphrase Exercise 1. "The Antarctic is the vast source of cold on

our planet, just as the sun is the source of our heat, and it exerts tremendous control on our climate," [Jacques] Cousteau told the camera. "The cold ocean water around Antarctica flows north to mix with warmer water from the tropics, and its upwellings help to cool both the surface water and our atmosphere. Yet the fragility of this regulating system is now threatened by human activity." From "Captain Cousteau," Audubon (May 1990):17.

Paraphrase Exercise #2 The twenties were the years when drinking was against

the law, and the law was a bad joke because everyone knew of a local bar where liquor could be had. They were the years when organized crime ruled the cities, and the police seemed powerless to do anything against it. Classical music was forgotten while jazz spread throughout the land, and men like Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie became the heroes of the young. The flapper was born in the twenties, and with her bobbed hair and short skirts, she symbolized, perhaps more than anyone or anything else, America's break with the past. From Kathleen Yancey, English 102 Supplemental Guide (1989): 25.

Unified Christian Empire

Charlemagne strove to create a unified Christian empire

Missi Dominici’s “administer laws

fully and justly in the case of the holy church”

Learning

Charlemagne held education in high regards

Stressed the revival of Latin Created local schools

Legacy

Extended Christian civilization Blended Germanic, Roman, and

Christian traditions Strong and efficient governments

New Invaders

Muslim forces Created a

stronghold in Sicily Magyars

Present day Hungary

Vikings

Norway, Sweden, and Denmark

Expert sailors Traded and sailed

around Scandinavia and Mediterranean

1000 AD set up colony in North America