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The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Internal Weaknesses Threaten Rome

Explore the economic, social, agricultural, military, and political issues that led to the fall of the Roman Empire, including lack of expansion, citizen disengagement, and barbarian invasions. Learn about key factors contributing to Rome's demise and the division into East and West.

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The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Internal Weaknesses Threaten Rome

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  1. Ch 2.2 - Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire EQ’s: 1. . What changes were made to the Roman Empire before it fell? 2. What internal problems lead to the fall of the Roman Empire, AND what happened when it fell?

  2. Roman Empire

  3. Internal Weaknesses Threaten Rome • Rome began to decline in the late second century due to internal problems including • Economic Decline • Disloyal Military • Political Corruption • Slavery • Lack of Patriotism • Invasions

  4. Internal Problem #1:Economic Difficulties • Rome Stopped expanding which meant it had no new sources of wealth. • Officials struggled to pay empire’s expenses and maintain cost of army • Government raised taxes • Higher taxes caused hardship for citizens No Expansion, No New Wealth

  5. Internal Problem #2:Social Difficulties • Harder to become educated as cost of education increased • Distributing news across such a vast empire became more difficult • People grew ignorant about civic matters, leading to less citizen involvement in government

  6. Q3: Internal Problem #3:Agriculture Decline • Italy and western Europe soil became difficult to farm due to constant warfare and overuse • Harvests grew increasingly weak, less food produced • Slave labor discouraged improvements in technology that might have helped farming • Disease and hunger began to spread, population declined

  7. Internal Problem #4: Military Issues • Less money coming in to pay army properly • Soldiers became less disciplined and loyal to the emperor. • Pledged allegiance to individual military leaders instead of Emperor of Rome

  8. Internal Problem #5:Political Problems • Feelings of loyalty declined among average citizens • Romans used to engage actively in civic duties and public affairs but began to care less • Roman politics grew increasingly corrupt • Politicians became more interested in financial gain than public service

  9. FYI: Rome’s Slow Decline • Rome’s Decline happened slowly and Rome struggled to survive for another 200 years. The leadership of two strong emperors helped Rome from falling. • The first Emperor was______________.

  10. Rome Divides into East and West • Diocletian became leader of Rome in 284 AD • Restored order by ruling with an iron fist • Divided Rome into east and west • Two parts made Rome’s immense territory easier to govern

  11. Constantine’s First Major Change • After Diocletian, Constantine came to power in Rome. Constantine made two major changes to the Roman Empire. The first was in 313 AD. • Constantine outlawed all attacks on Christians. • By allowing Christians to worship freely, Constantine helped Christianity grow.

  12. Constantine’s Second Major Change • The second major change Constantine instituted was moving thecapital of the Roman empire from Rome to the Greek city of Byzantium in 330 AD.

  13. Constantine Continue • Byzantium became known as Constantinople, after Constantine (Today it is known as Istanbul) • New capital signaled shift in power from western part of empire to the east

  14. Fall of the Roman Empire • Unfortunately Rome’s slow decline would turn into a rapid downfall once Rome was invaded. • Different foreign groups (known as barbarians) swarmed around Rome’s borders. • Rome’s internal problems made it easier for Germanic Tribes(barbarians) to invade

  15. FYI: Barbarians • Numerous Germanic people (known as barbarians) lived outside of Rome’s borders • In the late 300’s they began pushing their way into Roman lands

  16. FYI:Why Did Barbarians Want to Invade? • Looking for better land • Gain some of Rome’s wealth • Trying to escape from the Huns in Asia

  17. FYI: The Huns • Fierce group of warriors from Asia • Eventually the Huns conquer parts of Rome • Other Germanic tribes also conquer parts of Rome • Most of Western Roman Empire fell to Barbarian tribes and the Huns in 476

  18. End of the Roman Empire • The Western portion of the Roman Empire fell in 486 AD. • Clovis, leader of a Germanic group known as the Franks, conquered remaining Roman land in the West • The Eastern part of Roman empire survived Barbarian attacks and became known as Byzantine Empire Clovis

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