Professional High School Name: _______________________________________
2nd Quarter
Social Studies 9 Class Activity
I. Early Middle Ages:
Directions: Read the section below and complete a Critical Reading Analysis on each
paragraph. Then answer the questions provided.
Introduction:
Charlemagne is one of the most well-known kings of Dark Ages
Europe. His grandfather, nicknamed Charles the Hammer, was known as a great
hero for defending Europe against invaders from the south. He reunited many
of the lands that formerly made up the Roman Empire. When he died control
of Europe was divided between his two sons, Charlemagne and Carloman.
When Carloman died leading a battle defending the Catholic Church
Charlemagne became sole ruler of the empire. Could he live up to his
grandfather’s legacy?
Charlemagne was a very religious man and wasn’t afraid to use violence to back
it up. He believed it was his duty as a Christian king to rebuild the Roman Empire.
He saw only one way to make that happen – murder. He ordered the arrest of
anyone who would not become a Christian (and pay tribute to the church). At one
point he gathered about 4,500 barbarian leaders. He told them they would
convert on the spot or die. They refused to deny their beliefs. Charlemagne had
each one executed. One by one they were led to the chopping block and their
heads chopped off - the bodies left to rot there in the field.
Charlemagne’s villainous legacy does not stop there. Murdering thousands
wasn’t enough for him – he really wanted to make a point. He ordered his army
to invade the barbarian lands and destroy their most holy places. For example,
when he found the location of what they called “The World Tree” he viciously.
Professional High School
2nd Quarter
Class Activity
Social Studies 9
chopped it down. This great tree had stood for hundreds of years and was
central to the barbarian faith.
The Dark Ages were an awful time. It took a very violent man to provide even the
smallest chance at unity. Charlemagne was that man. He let nothing stand in his
way of rebuilding the Roman Empire. He wanted power to return, and he would
do anything he had to for that to happen. In a way then he certainly lived up to
the legacy of his grandfather.
Questions:
1. List as many words as you can find that make Charlemagne look like a hero. (2 pts)
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Religious
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Duty
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Unity
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Power
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Rebuilding
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2. List as many words as you can find that make Charlemagne look like a villain. (2 pts)
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Violence Power
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Executed
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Chopped
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Villainous
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Murder
Destroy
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Professional High School
2nd Quarter
Class Activity
Social Studies 9
3. Do you think Charlemagne was a more of a hero or a villain? Why? (4 pts)
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In my opinion, Charlemagne was more of a villain, because his means to achieving his goal, which is to
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rebuild the Roman Empire, spread Christianity, and live up to his grandfather's legacy , were very brutal,
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inhumane, and violent. He didn't show any mercy nor respect towards the barbarians or anyone who does
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not convert to Catholicism. A hero is someone who protect and fights for what is right. A hero is a person
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who respects and values life. Charlemagne wasn't any of those. Rather, he is somebody who fights for
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his own satisfaction and ego. He did not do it for what is right, he did it for his ambition.
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4. Does this reading give you enough information to make a good decision on
whether Charlemagne was a hero or not? Why? (4 pts)
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I don't think this reading has given me enough information to determine whether or not Charlemagne was a
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hero or a villain. He was painted in very bad light and there's no telling whether these claims were exaggerated
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or not. Who knows, maybe he had good reason to do what he did. Maybe his violence was a necessity
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during that time. In addition, we don't know all his achievements and contributions. Regardless, this reading
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alone would sway you into thinking he is a villain. Remember that a villain for somebody may be a hero for
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another, and one's hero may be a villain to another.
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