History can do more than teach us about rulers and revolutions. Historical figures, from peasants to emperors, were people like us with full lives who faced hard choices. Lynne Ann Hartnett hopes we can use history to teach us empathy. […]
In September 1791, the National Assembly unveiled a formal constitution. Absolute monarchy gave way to a constitutional monarchy. […]
Revolutions are made not by the downtrodden but rather by those who feel their positions are in jeopardy or insufficiently validated. Such was the case with the French Revolution. […]
Public executions were not uncommon in Paris during the 18th century. By the end of 1792, an estimated 17,000 French citizens met their ends in violent and public fashion. […]
Charlemagne was the first Holy Roman Emperor, beginning in 800 CE. During, and since, his reign, his image has been molded and remolded to fit the causes of countless modern rulers. He also had superb management skills. […]
The Saxon wars were considered by some as Charlemagne’s greatest military campaign. Such a long military campaign showcased Charlemagne’s resilience and persistence. However, not all of his wars were so successful. […]
After his father died, Charlemagne had to share the kingdom of the Franks with his brother. But after his brother’s sudden death, everything was ready for him to take the whole kingdom for himself. […]
There was little to no chance that Charlemagne would become king of the Franks, let alone the emperor. When he was born, his family wasn’t even the ruling dynasty among the Franks. […]
Charlemagne became a symbol of European identity and unity after his imperial coronation. However, before his birth, the Frankish territory was in a state of constant flux because of Frankish system of succession. […]
Charlemagne’s imperial title gave him a greater sense of responsibility. He spent more time on legislating, ruling, and governing than on traveling and campaigning. However, with age, his health deteriorated quite a bit. […]
© The Teaching Company, LLC. All rights reserved.