2.1 QUIZ REVIEW MS MONEY #20120801

Fjord: a narrow inlet of the sea between cliffs or steep slopes

Missionaries: people whom a religious organization sends to spread the faith

Concordat: agreement between the pope and the ruler of a country

The Fall of Rome led to the Middle Ages/medieval times. Rivers were wide and deep enough for ships to use. People and goods can sail easily from the open sea and, from there, to other parts of the world. Europe’s seas and rivers provided protection as well as possibilities for trade. The mountains, like the rivers, made it difficult for one group to control all of Europe. The mountains isolated groups of people which encouraged the growth of independent territories. West Europe has a mild climate as a result of the warm Gulf Stream. Winds from the Stream also deliver moisture throughout the year. S and W Europe have a climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters. Central and northern Europe have cold winters and hot summers. Since Rome no longer unified people in Europe after its downfall, physical geography took on a more important role in shaping events. The continent of Europe is a huge peninsula, with many smaller peninsulas branching out from it. As a result, most land in Europe lies within 300 miles (483 km) of a seacoast. This encouraged trade and helped the European economy grow. Roman influence was even weaker in Britain. After Roman armies abandoned the area that is today England, Germanic groups known as Angles and Saxons settled there. In time, they became the Anglo-Saxons. In 481, Clovis (KLOH•vuhs) became king of the Franks. Fifteen years later, he became the first Germanic ruler to accept Catholic Christianity. Before long, nearly all of the Franks became Catholic. In 714, Charles Martel (mahr•TEHL), or “Charles the Hammer,” became mayor of the palace. The pope, who was the head of the Catholic Church, gave Martel his support. Martel and the pope wanted to restore order and strengthen Catholic Christianity in the lands of the old Western Roman Empire. Martel wanted to stop the spread of Islam into Europe. By the early 700s, Muslims from North Africa had conquered Spain and entered France. In 732, Charles Martel defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Tours. This battle stopped the advance of Islam into Western Europe. It also ensured that Christianity would remain Western Europe’s major religion. After Charles Martel died, his son Pepin (PEH•puhn) became mayor of the palace. With the support and blessing of the pope, Pepin became king of the Franks. In return, Pepin was expected to help the pope. A Germanic group called the Lombards had invaded northern Italy and surrounded Rome. In 754, Pepin fought the Lombards in the Alps and forced them to leave. He then gave the pope a large strip of Lombard land in Italy. These lands became known as the Papal States. Pepin spent much of his rule ending rebellions against his rule in France and Germany. The battle of Tours stopped the advance of Islam into Western Europe. It also ensured that Christianity would remain Western Europe’s major religion. In 800 C.E., Charlemagne came to Rome and defended the pope against unruly Roman nobles. On Christmas day, Charlemagne was worshipping at the church of St. Peter in Rome. After the service, the pope placed a crown on Charlemagne’s head and declared him the new Roman emperor. Charlemagne was pleased but also concerned. He did not want people to think the pope had the power to choose who was emperor. Despite this concern, Charlemagne accepted his duties as emperor and worked to strengthen the empire. The central government was small in the capital of Aachen (AH•kuhn). As a result, Charlemagne relied on local officials called counts to help him govern. The counts ran local affairs and raised armies for Charlemagne. Royal messengers went on inspections and told the emperor how the counts were doing. Charlemagne did not want people to think the pope had the power to choose who was emperor. Charlemagne made many schools. When Charlemagne died his empire divided into many different areas. Vikings would often raid settlements for food and valuables while taking slaves during the process and anything they could not take they would burn. Otto founded the Holy Roman Empire. The popes opposed Germany and Italy uniting because it would have meant the loss of power for the Pope.