![Page 1: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 2: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 3: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 4: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 5: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 6: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 7: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 8: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 9: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 10: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 11: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 12: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 13: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 14: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 15: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 16: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 17: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 18: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 19: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 20: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 21: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 22: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 23: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 24: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 25: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 26: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 27: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 28: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 29: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 30: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 31: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 32: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 33: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 34: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 35: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 36: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 37: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 38: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 39: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 40: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 41: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 42: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 43: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 44: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 45: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 46: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 47: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 48: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 49: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 50: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 51: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/51.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 52: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/52.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 53: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/53.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 54: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/54.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 55: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/55.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 56: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/56.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 57: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/57.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 58: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/58.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 59: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/59.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 60: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/60.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 61: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/61.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 62: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/62.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 63: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/63.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 64: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/64.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 65: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/65.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 66: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/66.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 67: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/67.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 68: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/68.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 69: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/69.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 70: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/70.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 71: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/71.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 72: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/72.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 73: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/73.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 74: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/74.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 75: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/75.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 76: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/76.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 77: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/77.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 78: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/78.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 79: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/79.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 80: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/80.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 81: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/81.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 82: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/82.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 83: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/83.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 84: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/84.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 85: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/85.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 86: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/86.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 87: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/87.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 88: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/88.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 89: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/89.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 90: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/90.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 91: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/91.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 92: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/92.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 93: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/93.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 94: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/94.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 95: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/95.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 96: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/96.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 97: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/97.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 98: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/98.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 99: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/99.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 100: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/100.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 101: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/101.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 102: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/102.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 103: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/103.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 104: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/104.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 105: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/105.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 106: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/106.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 107: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/107.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 108: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/108.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 109: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/109.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 110: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/110.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 111: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/111.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 112: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/112.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 113: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/113.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 114: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/114.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 115: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/115.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 116: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/116.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 117: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/117.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 118: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/118.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 119: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/119.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 120: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/120.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 121: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/121.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 122: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/122.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 123: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/123.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 124: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/124.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 125: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/125.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 126: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/126.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 127: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/127.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 128: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/128.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 129: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/129.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 130: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/130.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 131: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/131.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 132: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/132.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 133: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/133.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 134: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/134.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 135: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/135.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 136: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/136.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 137: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/137.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 138: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/138.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 139: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/139.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 140: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/140.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 141: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/141.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 142: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/142.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 143: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/143.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 144: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/144.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 145: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/145.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 146: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/146.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 147: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/147.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 148: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/148.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 149: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/149.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 150: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/150.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 151: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/151.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 152: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/152.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 153: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/153.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 154: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/154.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 155: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/155.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 156: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/156.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 157: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/157.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 158: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/158.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 159: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/159.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 160: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/160.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 161: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/161.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 162: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/162.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 163: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/163.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 164: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/164.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 165: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/165.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 166: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/166.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 167: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/167.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 168: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/168.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 169: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/169.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 170: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/170.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 171: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/171.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 172: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/172.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 173: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/173.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 174: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/174.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 175: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/175.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 176: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/176.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 177: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/177.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 178: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/178.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 179: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/179.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 180: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/180.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 181: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/181.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 182: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/182.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 183: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/183.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 184: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/184.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 185: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/185.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 186: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/186.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 187: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/187.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 188: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/188.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 189: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/189.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 190: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/190.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 191: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/191.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 192: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/192.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 193: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/193.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 194: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/194.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 195: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/195.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 196: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/196.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 197: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/197.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 198: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/198.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 199: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/199.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 200: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/200.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 201: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/201.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 202: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/202.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 203: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/203.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 204: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/204.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 205: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/205.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 206: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/206.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 207: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/207.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 208: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/208.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 209: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/209.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 210: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/210.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 211: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/211.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 212: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/212.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 213: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/213.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 214: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/214.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 215: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/215.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 216: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/216.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 217: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/217.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 218: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/218.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 219: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/219.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 220: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/220.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 221: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/221.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 222: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/222.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 223: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/223.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 224: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/224.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 225: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/225.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 226: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/226.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 227: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/227.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 228: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/228.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 229: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/229.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 230: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/230.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 231: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/231.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 232: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/232.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 233: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/233.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 234: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/234.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 235: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/235.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 236: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/236.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 237: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/237.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 238: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/238.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 239: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/239.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 240: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/240.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 241: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/241.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 242: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/242.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 243: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/243.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 244: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/244.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 245: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/245.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 246: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/246.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
![Page 247: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/247.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
![Page 248: The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne - mrgunnells.com · Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall](https://reader030.vdocuments.mx/reader030/viewer/2022041300/5e0ee753dea8723fe9108e33/html5/thumbnails/248.jpg)
Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?
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Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Student Handout #1 - The Carolingian Empire and Charlemagne
As you read, Stop and Jot as directed. Be ready to share your thinking with a partner when you are done.
When Rome finally fell in 476 CE, different Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, and Franks took
control of Western Europe, often fighting with each other for power over certain areas. Two centuries later,
their descendants came into conflict with Muslim armies connected to the Umayyads who had moved into
what is now Northern Africa and Spain.
Western and central Europe, the area around what is now France and Germany, ended up being ruled by a
Frankish family dynasty called the Merovingians (the Franks were a group who lived in the area around the
Rhine River in Western Europe). The Merovingian kings grew weak over time, and other political leaders in
their courts actually gained more power than the king, even though they allowed the kings to rule in name
only. Pepin the Middle was one such man. He held lots of power even though he wasn’t king, and he
passed this power on to his sons. His son, Charles Martel, took on this role and became even more
powerful when he defeated a Muslim army trying to enter the kingdom through Spain at the Battle of Tours
in 732 CE. Charles Martel is often credited with stopping the expansion of Islam in this part of Europe and
uniting different parts of Europe under one rule.
Charles Martel had a son, Pepin the Short, and this Pepin officially took the throne and removed the
Merovingian king from power with the support of the Pope, the leader of the Christian religion in Rome.
Pepin the Short then passed on the throne to his sons, Carloman and Charles, also known as Charlemagne,
in 771 CE. The kingdom was divided in two, but Carloman died mysteriously after a few years, and
Charlemagne became king. Over time, he became the most famous Frankish king of all, and the empire he
helped build became known as the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne ruled until 814 CE. At the height of
his rule, there were between 10 and 20 million people living under his reign.
He tried to expand the area under his control and also spread Christianity by
forcing people in conquered areas to convert. He was a great military leader
and was often at war as he tried to maintain this empire. The military success
of Charlemagne and other Carolingians was in part due to their use of
advanced cavalry techniques (fighting on horseback). Under Charlemagne,
Germanic tribes who had been a problem for the Romans were defeated and
the Carolingian kingdom extended its area of control to the east.
Stop and Jot: When Rome fell, how did that affect the politics (power and decision making) in western and central
Europe?
Stop and Jot: What do you notice about the names of the kings? Why do you think they did this?
Figure 1: Coin showing the image
of Charlemagne
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Seventh Grade: Early World History SS070605 Unit 6: Patterns of Adaptation: Reorganizing and Restoring Order After the Fall of Empires (500 CE – 1000 CE) Lesson 5
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 12 Copyright © 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools September 18, 2014
Charlemagne also helped bring about many cultural advances and development in Europe during his rule,
so much so that this time is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne helped to establish regional
governments, he standardized weights and measures to help with trade across this region, and he also
improved the legal system. He invited scholars to his court and had a library created as well. Charlemagne
strengthened Christianity as well and is considered by some to be a founder of modern Europe.
In 800 CE, Charlemagne was actually crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III of Rome. Pope Leo had been
facing a rebellion, and when Charlemagne came to his aid and put down the rebellion, he was rewarded
with this honor. With this added title, Charlemagne added in the top half of Italy to his empire, which also
included present-day Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and part of Germany.
At the end of Charlemagne’s rule, different members of his family were given power over different parts of
the empire. The Carolingians, as you may have noted, believed that power and control of land should be
inherited from father to son (along with certain names like Pepin and Charles!). This caused problems
when more than one son wanted to rule. As a result the kingdom got divided and weakened. This is what
happened when Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, died, and the empire was split between his sons. They
fought each other in a civil war until they signed a treaty in 843, the Treaty of Verdun, and divided the
empire up. The treaty divided the empire into the Central Frankish Realm, the Eastern Frankish Realm, and
the Western Frankish Realm (sometimes called East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia). The names
of all these areas changed over time, but Germany and France were basically formed in this process.
Conflict over power and land didn’t end though, and regional rulers continued to fight for more territory
and try to extend their new borders. Vikings attacked from the west and north, causing further problems in
the region and weakening the kingdoms even more. In 881, Charles the Fat (a great-grandson of
Charlemagne) managed to get control over a large part of the kingdom and again unite these different
regions under one rule. However, in 886 he was forced to pay off Viking raiders to prevent them from
destroying Paris, and this made him look weak in the eyes of his political opponents. He fled the capital
when a rebellion broke out, and conflict developed again with more divisions of the empire taking place.
Over time, the kingdoms were divided up even further. Descendants of Charlemagne ruled parts of the old
kingdom for a time, but all were out of power by 987 CE. The modern nations of France and Germany have
their origins in this time, with some of today’s borders even being established during this time as the larger
kingdom was divided up. In addition, the medieval system of kings and lords controlling land, with knights
as an important group, all ruling over poor farmers working the land, really began in this time period.
Stop and Jot: What do you think was Charlemagne’s most SIGNIFICANT achievement? Why do you think this?
Stop and Jot: What do you think was the biggest problem faced by the Carolingian rulers?
Turn and Talk: How do you think the Carolingians affected the future of Europe, for better and for worse?