Christianity Becomes a World Religion

Christianity Becomes a World Religion

By Patrick Lindstrand

Rome Falls, Christianity Spreads

Political, geographic, and cultural factors led to the fall of the Roman Empire. However, even as Rome died, Christianity survived and even became stronger.

By the time Rome fell, Christianity had spread into northern Europe. Missionaries also had spread to Scandinavia and eastern Europe. They converted Czechs, Hungarians, and Poles. They had traveled to the Middle East and parts of Africa. By the time they reached South Asia, Christianity had truly become a worldwide religion.

What evidence from the text shows that Christianity had become a "worldwide religion"?

Word Bank:  missionaries, travel.

As Rome declined, Germanic kingdoms rose in power and influence. Many Germans had converted to Christianity before the fall of the Roman Empire. Missionaries converted Saxons, Goths, and Vandals. German Christians developed strong ties to the Catholic Church. The Germanic tribes that replaced Rome continued to practice and spread Christianity. Rulers often forced their subjects to convert as well.

How did Germanic tribes help with the spread of Christianity?

Converts to Christianity

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A growing number of monasteries also helped to sustain Christianity after the fall of the Roman Empire. Some wealthy families even constructed monasteries on their own estates. By the early 500s, the Byzantine capital of Constantinople was home to more than 70 monasteries. Therefore, Christianity had a foothold beyond the political influence of Rome, especially among members of the Germanic tribes. Charlemagne was king of the Franks in the 800s. He used Christianity to unite many kingdoms, forcing the Saxons to convert. He executed anyone who did not convert because he saw himself as a defender of the faith. In the 900s, Christianity helped establish Poland as a nation.

Multiple Choice

The buildings that helped establish a foothold on Christianity in Europe was...

• monasteries

• temples

• mosques