The division of the Carolingian Empire played a pivotal role in the formation of medieval Germany, marking the fragmentation of Charlemagne's vast empire into distinct political entities. Following Charlemagne's death in 814, the empire struggled to maintain unity under his successors. The Treaty of Verdun in 843 divided the realm among Charlemagne’s grandsons: Charles the Bald received West Francia (modern-day France), Louis the German took East Francia (the precursor to Germany), and Lothair I was granted the central portion, including the imperial title.
East Francia, under Louis the German and his descendants, became a foundation for the medieval German kingdom. This division fostered a distinct cultural and political identity, as East Francia's predominantly German-speaking regions developed apart from their Western and Central counterparts. Over time, this entity evolved into the Holy Roman Empire under Otto I in the 10th century, solidifying the division's long-term impact.
The fragmentation also weakened central authority, leading to regionalism as local dukes and nobles gained power, shaping Germany’s decentralized political landscape for centuries. The division of the Carolingian Empire thus marked a critical step in the emergence of Germany as a separate medieval entity, distinct from its Frankish and Roman past.
Partition of Francia after the Treaty of Verdun 843. Orange = Kingdom of Lothair I. Blue = Kingdom of Louis the German. Gray = Kingdom of Charles the Bald. © Furfur