CHW 3M Course Culminating Activity
Argumentative Essay
In the 9th century AD, as the initial chaos of the Dark Ages began to settle down into the high Middle Ages, one man arose who would bestride Europe literally and symbolically. This giant of a man was Charles the Great, or Charlemagne. In his life he was a renowned warrior, administrator and innovator, hailed as a defender of the catholic faith, and known for his enthusiastic lust for life.
But is all as it seems? Write a 1200 word (4-5 page) essay examining the life and accomplishments of Charlemagne that answers the following question:
Is it fair to name Charlemagne as the father of modern Europe, or was he just another warlord who happened to be in the right place at the right time?
In your answer, you will need to consider the political, social, economic and religious environment in which Charlemagne lived and worked, and consider how he changed the world around him – did he do the things he did merely to suit his needs and secure his power base, or did he have loftier goals in mind?
Your essay must be written in formal essay style, with title page, MLA-style in-text citations and bibliography.