Download The Fall of the Roman and Han Empire

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Dominated Asia for more than
400 years
Powerful and prosperous
empire based upon Confucian
ideas and education
Notes:
-Powerful Empire
based on Confucian
Ideas
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Dominated Europe for more than
500 years
Powerful and prosperous Empire
based on a well organized
bureaucracy – founded on Roman
law and classical learning
Notes:
-Powerful and prosperous
empire based on Roman law
and classical learning
•
•
Han Dynasty – first to unite China (leader Liu
Bang)
Liu Bang was popular among the peasants
(lowered taxes)
–
•
Carefully chose who he put in powerful positions
such as rich land owners
When he died he left a stable and prospering
kingdom behind
–
A series of strong rulers followed
Notes:
-1st to unite China
-Liu Bang:
-great ruler
-lowered taxes
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Over time the Han Empire
continued to expand and
build their armies
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PROBLEM WAS:
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Wars and large armies were
expensive!
Land became overpopulated
It became harder and harder
to make a living and pay their
increasing taxes!
Notes:
-Expansion = PROBLEMS
-Wars and Armies are
expensive
-Overpopulation
-Harder to make a living
-Higher taxes
•
•
Less tax money meant less government services
Corruption in the government left emperors weak
•
•
•
Noble families tried to fix things by taking over land
and forcing free farmers to work for them
Population was reduced by plagues (diseases) that
Notes:
left less people to pay the high taxes!
•
•
some plotted against the emperors to weaken them
Peasants were NOT happy!
BUT a clear line of rulers allowed
emperors to maintain power!
-less money = less
services
-corruption weakened
government
-noble families took over
land
-Population reduced by
plagues
-fewer people to pay taxes
-clear line of rulers
stabilized power
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Invasion by nomadic invaders from the north
and the Korean Peninsula
One emperor tried to gain control back but
that just led to more civil wars and unrest…
No Worries:
With China’s clear line of
succession and strong
bureaucratic system they
are able to make a
comeback!
Notes:
-Nomadic
invaders
-One emperor
tried to gain
control but it
led to civil
war/unrest
-China will
come back
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Discuss with your partner at least three
reasons why the Han Empire fell.
Then determine which of these three is the
most important.
Be ready to explain WHY!
Insert brain break here…
Roman Empire
Historical Background
 The Roman Empire was so large it was difficult for one
person to control so it was divided in to two parts…
 Eastern
 Western
Notes:
-So large it was
divided into
east and west
Roman Empire
Economic
 Also…
 Plagues hit the people of Rome hard
 Less people farming and making a living so they had less money
to pay taxes
 Taxes increased
Notes:
-Plagues
-fewer people farming & less
money to pay taxes
-Taxes increased
Roman Empire
Political
 The Eastern Empire flourished while
the Western Empire became weaker and
weaker…
 The Western Empire was dealing with
internal political problems and a lack of tax
revenues
 The Roman rulers were unable to find
people (bureaucrats) who could enforce their
laws
 There was NO clear line of
succession when a ruler died
which led to civil wars between
the people
Notes:
-Western Empire
weakened
-internal problems
-lack of taxes
-unable to enforce laws
-No clear line of
succession
Roman Empire
Conflict
 Rome was invaded by The Huns (from Asia) and
The Visigoths (Germanic tribe)
Notes:
-Invaded by Huns &
Visigoths
-Rome is OVER!
This was the END of
the Roman Empire!
Turn and Talk
 Why were the Huns and Visigoths able to defeat the once
powerful Romans?
 After the invasion of the Huns and Visigoths, why do you
think that Rome wasn’t able to come back?
Compare and Contrast
The 3 Rules of a Good Thesis
1) Answers the question.
 Be specific.
2) Takes a position.
 The reader should be able to agree or disagree with your position.
3) Mentions the topics for your supporting paragraphs.
 Tell how your paper is going to be organized.
Ticket out the Door
Write a thesis statement
 Write a thesis statement comparing the fall of the Han and
the Roman Empire!
 Remember the 3 Rules of a GOOD THESIS!