Downfall of Rome

1. Downfall of Rome Students will analyze the downfall of the Roman Empire

2. Barbarian Invasion • Empire grew to big to protect • Barbarians were anyone not a Roman citizen • Barbarians slowly captured land at the borders • Lead to increased military spending

3. Barbarian Invasion • Today, the United States is constantly fighting illegal immigrants coming in through the borders of Canada, Mexico and the surrounding oceans.

4. Increase in military spending • Needed more soldiers to protect borders • Military cost took money from other imperial needs • Lead to inferior technology

5. Increase in military spending • Today, the United States has increased its military spending to fight terrorism and the Iraq invasion. • 1942 a P-51 Mustang fighter plane cost $100,000 • 2005 a F-22 Raptor stealth fighter plane cost $2,000,000,000.

6. Inferior Technology • Military spending took money away from technology funding • To busy with military and survival to improve their quality of life. • Lead to political corruption

7. Inferior Technology • Today, United States imports many different goods for its citizens, from cars to clothes to food. • Many of the United States businesses are in competition with foreign businesses. Toyota verses Chevy, American made clothes verse Asian made clothes.

8. Political Corruption • Leaders were immoral and could be bought. • Leaders raised taxes to improve their own wealth. • Used military to gain more power. • Lead to inflation

9. Political Corruption • The politics in the United States has had its share of corruption, scandals, and shady deals. • Most reason examples are Watergate and President Clinton’s impeachment

10. Inflation • Money became less valuable • Trading of goods was better than money • Lead to unemployment

11. Inflation • Today, inflation in the United States is at an alarming rate. Gas prices are at a all time high.

12. Unemployment • Very high rate of unemployment • Lead to urban decay

13. Unemployment • In the United States, unemployment ranges from 3% to 7%. • In Rome, unemployment reach as high as 90%

14. Urban Decay • With high unemployment, people could not afford to pay high rent. • People were forced to live on the streets. • Lead to the decline in morals and values.

15. Urban Decay Every time we turn on the news, we hear about riots, home invasions, homeless, and buildings collapsing.

16. Decline in morals and values • With so many people living on the street, conflicts were inevitable. • Crime rates increased and social unrest occurred. • Lead to rise in Christianity

17. Decline in morals and values In today’s society we are seeing a rise in gang activity, crime rates raising, and the new sport of ultimate fighting is one of the most popular sporting events.

18. Rise in Christianity • Gave people another set of rules • Conflicted with some of the Roman laws • Emperors were against church beliefs • Exposed public and environmental health issues

19. Rise in Christianity The United States was founded on certain freedoms including freedom of religion.

20. Public and environment health issues • Pipes were made out of lead. • Lead poison was high among the upper class.

21. Public and environment health issues In today’s society health issues are a major concern from the flu to Aids.