Middle Ages (Lesson 1)

​Module 19: The Middle Ages

Lesson 1: Europe After The Fall Of Rome

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I can explain how Europe faced religious and political change after the fall of Rome.

​Main ideas

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1. Geography has shaped life in Europe, including where and how people live.

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2. Christianity spread to northern Europe through the work of missionaries and monks.

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3. The Franks, led by Charlemagne, created a huge Christian empire and brought together scholars from around Europe.

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​4. Invaders threatened much of Europe in the 700s and 800s.

​Key Terms and People

1) Eurasia: the large landmass that includes Europe and Asia

​2) Middle Ages: the period lasting from about 500 to about 1500

​3) medieval: another name for the Middle Ages

​4) Patrick: Christian missionary credited with converting Ireland to Christianity

​5) monks: religious men who lived apart from society in isolated communities

6) monasteries: communities of monks

7) Benedict: monk responsible for creating the Benedictine Rule, a set of rules for monks

8) Charlemagne: warrior and king who led the Franks in building a huge empire

​Geography Shapes Life in Europe

Europe is a small but diverse continent with different landforms, water features, and climates. We call Europe a continent, but it is part of Eurasia, a large landmass that includes both Europe and Asia. The climates and vegetation vary widely from region to region. Its geography influenced where and how people lived. In southern Europe, most people lived on coastal plains or river valleys and farmed. Those near the sea became traders and seafarers. In northern Europe, the rivers provided transportation and towns grew along them. Farmers grew all sorts of crops on the excellent farmland near the cities. The flat land, however, made it easy for invaders to enter. These invasions changed Europe.

Open Ended

What kind of land made it easy for invaders to enter Europe?

​CHRISTIANITY SPREADS TO NORTHERN EUROPE

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As the Roman Empire fell, various groups from the north and east moved into former Roman lands, creating their own states and making their own kings. These kings often fought among themselves, dividing Europe into many small kingdoms. This marked the beginning of the Middle Ages, or medieval period.

Open Ended

How was Europe ruled at the beginning of the Middle Ages?

​In the early Middle Ages, most kingdoms of northern Europe were not Christian. The pope sent missionaries and converted much of Britain, then Germany, and France. One early missionary, Patrick, was an English Christian who took it upon himself to convert Ireland. Unlike missionaries, monks lived apart from society in isolated communities, where they prayed, worked, and meditated. Communities of monks, or monasteries, were built all over Europe in the Middle Ages. Most monks followed a strict set of rules created in the early 500s by Benedict.

Multiple Choice

In the early Middle Ages, most kingdoms of northern Europe were not Christian.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

One early missionary, Patrick, was an English Jew who took it upon himself to convert Ireland.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Open Ended

Why did Patrick go to Ireland?

​THE FRANKS BUILD AN EMPIRE

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In the 500s, a powerful Germanic tribe called the Franks conquered Gaul, the region we now call France. The Franks became Christian and created one of the strongest kingdoms in Europe. The Franks reached their greatest power during the 700s under Charlemagne (SHARH-luhmayn). Religious scholarship flourished in Charlemagne’s time.

Invaders Threaten Europe

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While Charlemagne was building his empire, Europe was being attacked on all sides by invaders. The most fearsome invaders were the Vikings from Scandinavia.