One of the most powerful rulers in Europe may have struggled to write his own name. He still put most of the old Western empire back together, and it came apart again in thirty years.
Not started yet.
Students will trace the Franks from Clovis to Charlemagne, explain how Charlemagne governed a large empire, and say why it split apart after he died.
The book's lesson gives the main line of Frankish rulers and the fact that a treaty in 843 divided the empire in three. It doesn't name the Treaty of Verdun, the crowning of 800, Alcuin, the Saxon Wars or Einhard, so those are added from the historical record.
The lesson states plainly that Charlemagne forced conversion on the Saxons by war and by law. The book says the same thing in a sentence, and the lesson doesn't soften it.
U2-L9 turns to the map, and shows the Alps, the Rhine and the Mediterranean that shaped where these kingdoms rose. U3-L1 then shows what grew up in the gap after the empire split, which is feudalism.
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Before You Start
The words this lesson uses. Tap a card to see what it means, then come back to them whenever a question uses one.
Part One
Questions about the story you just read. Pick your answer straight off, or press Find it in the story if you would rather hunt for the sentence first.
Part Two
The word cards are at the top of this page. Look back at them as often as you need, then answer.