Explain how the Germanic invasions lead to the fall of the Western Empire.

What kingdoms replace Rome as rulers for Western Europe? Which one becomes the most important in the development of Western Europe and why? Huns displace Germanic tribes o Germanic tribes had been traveling westward o Pressure from the Huns eventually forced some to permanently move into the Western Roman Empire o One of these groups started off by providing the Romans with military service in exchange for land to farm on. Mistreatment led to them revolting and The Visigoths revolt o Due to their mistreatment they revolt and sack Rome o Eventually all German military units develop Other Germanic tribes moved into the Roman Empire and began settling down, this caused Roman forces to withdraw. o Western provinces in the Roman Empire were then taken over and controlled by the Germanic people Several other Germanic tribes entered the Roman empire and seized control o Visigoths o Burgundians o Vandals o Odoacer o Lombards o Franks The Germanic tribes took control after the fall of the Western Empire, they blended elements of Germanic customs and laws with those of Roman culture, including large-scale conversions to Christianity. o Some converted to Arian Christianity which caused problems The Franks established the most durable of these Germanic states. o King Clovis converted to Catholic Christianity and this helped him to get the support of the Roman Catholic Church o Caused a fusion of Gallo-Roman and the Frankish people o Largest kingdom and lasts the longest More organized During the Carolingian Empire there was an intellectual revival o There was a revival of interest in the classical studies o The foundation for medieval education was laid o Monks began to copy Christian and classical works o A new type of handwriting developed and it was easier to read it I am not sure if I answered the last part of the essay question.

What caused the disintegration of the Carolingian Empire? What role did the invasions in the 9th and 10th centuries play in this? How did vassalage and the manorial system

reflect the political uncertainty of the time? Using the six characteristics of civilization, explain why this is called the Dark Ages. Charlemagne death was the beginning of the end of the Carolingian Empire Louis the Pious took over the empire after his death, but he was not strong leader He had four sons that always fought among themselves o The Treaty of Verdun divided the empire into three Two different cultures began to emerge with the division of the empire Invasions by outsiders during the 9th and 10th century also helped with the disintegration of the empire o These invasions disrupted regular activity o The Muslims in the Mediterranean o Vikings were the biggest problem o Magyars When the government could no longer protect the people from the attacks a new system developed Feudalism is a system in which strong nobles protect the wesk in exchange for service Vassalage and the manorial system reflect the political ucertainty of the time o Free people were giving up their freedom for protection strong and powerful lords offered. There are six basic characteristics of a civilization o Urban focus o A distinct religious structure o A political and military structure o Social system based on economic power o Writing o Artistic and intellectual activity During this time many of the characteristics were missing o Urban focus, lack of religious structure? Other than the lack of urban focus Im not sure why this is called the Dark ages.