World History with Mrs. Bailey |
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Western Europe was in disarray after the decline of the Roman Empire and the Germanic invaders were ineffective, weak rulers. Clovis united the Franks in 481 and accepted the Catholic religion, which provided him with the support of the Pope. Charles, "the hammer", Martel led the Franks at the Battle of Tours in 732, which is considered one of the most important battles in European history since the Franks defeated the Arabs and Berbers thus haulting the spread of Islam in Europe and allowing Christianity to survive in western Europe. By 800, Charlemagne had created a large empire and the Pope crowned him as the new Roman Emperor.