What was the purpose of the Treaty of Verdun?

The Treaty of Verdun, signed in 843, was significant because it divided the Carolingian Empire, which had been established by Charlemagne, among his grandsons following the death of Louis the Pious. This division was a response to internal strife and disputes over succession among Louis's three sons: Charles the Bald, Louis the German, and Lothair I. The treaty laid the groundwork for the political landscape of medieval Europe by creating distinct regions: West Francia, East Francia, and Middle Francia, which eventually evolved into modern nation-states like France and Germany. This division marked the beginning of the fragmentation of the empire that would continue throughout the subsequent centuries, illustrating the difficulties of ruling a vast territory and the impact of familial conflict on political structures.