Download Fall of the (Western) Roman Empire - Mrs. Darling`s Digital Classroom.

WARM UP:
What are some political, military, economic, and social
problems that the United States has faced in the past
and/or is currently facing that may have led to its
weakening?
Looking back on what we have learned about Rome,
what problems do you think led to its decline and fall?
THE DECLINE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
With the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the Pax Romana ended.
For the next 100 years, political and economic turmoil plagued the
Empire.
CAUSES FOR THE DECLINE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Geographic
Size
The Empire was
becoming too large
to defend and
govern.
Economic
Problems
With the Empire
continuing to grow,
the cost of defense
continued to go up.
The value Roman
currency began to go
down.
Problems in the
Political
Military/Invasio Problems/Loss
ns
of Morale
Army membership
started to include
non-Romans,
resulting in
decline of discipline.
With a weaker
military, there were
more barbarian
attacks at the
borders.
There were conflicts
within the
government
(Emperor vs.
Senate), which led to
weak leaders and
policies.
People began to lose
faith in the
government and the
Empire.
THE EMPIRE SPLITS
In 285 A.D., Emperor Diocletian realized that the Empire had grown
too large for one man to govern effectively.
His solution was to split the Empire in half (Eastern and Western
Empire) and have it ruled by two emperors.
Diocletian kept the Eastern half to himself due to its greater wealth
and trade.
THE EMPIRE SPLITS (CONT’D)
Diocletian chose a military officer named Maximian to rule the
western half of the Empire.
Around 306 A.D., civil wars broke out in both halves.
By 324 A.D., Constantine controlled both halves, meaning the Roman
Empire once again had a single Emperor.
Constantine moved the capitol from Rome to Byzantium and renamed
it Constantinople.
THE EMPIRE SPLITS (CONT’D)
Constantine had planned for his three sons to rule parts of the
Empire after his death, but competition between the sons led to
another period of conflict.
In 395 A.D., the Empire was once again divided, but this time it was
permanent.
THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
The Western Roman Empire was attacked by a barbarian tribe known
as the Huns. This opened the borders of Rome to other barbarians.
Rome is sacked in 410 A.D by another barbarian tribe known as the
Visigoths and the last Emperor was defeated in 476 AD.
The Eastern Roman Empire became known as the Byzantine Empire.