Fall of Rome

Why West Fell-Economic

• Small farmers abandoned land–Became workers on large estates–Lost desire to increase production

• Heavy, unjust taxation–Burdened people–Destroyed ambition to work and

progress• Widespread use of slaves• Debasing of currency

Why West Fell-Social

• People only interested in luxury & survival

• Ideals had almost vanished• Sharp class distinctions• Disease• Cities declined

– Previous centers of culture and industry– People fled to rural regions– Decline in infastructure

Why West Fell-Military

• Roman armies included German mercenaries

• Armies considered themselves masters of the state, not its servants

Why West Fell-Political

• Corrupt dictatorial government • Did not have people’s loyalty• Empire could not be governed

efficiently from one central city–Primitive transportation–Poor communication

• Rivalry over succession led to civil wars

Germanic Invasion

• Germans allowed to settle• Huns pushed more Germans in

– Visigoths in Spain– Ostrogoths in Italy– Vandals in North Africa– Franks in Gaul– Angles & Saxons in Britain

• 476AD-last Roman emperor• Other factors of decline made them

vulnerable to external attack.