The Fall of Rome

1. The Fall of Rome Objective: * Using the information provided on the slides answer the 5 questions to analyze how these theories correlate to the problems in the United States today? spending revenue

2. The Fall of Rome • Barbarian Invasions • Decline in Morals and Values • Environmental and Public Health Problems • Excessive Military Spending to Defend the Empire • Inferior Technology • Inflation • Political Corruption • Rise in Christianity • Unemployment • Urban Decay

5. U.S. Slide 1: Military Spending Rome Increased to defend borders against barbarian attacks. In later years of the empire, they relied on mercenaries. Farmers and businessmen paid higher taxes for military. Left fewer resources for roads, housing, etc.

6. Slide 2: Political Corruption Rome • No effective way to elect new Emperors. (4 ways) • Began selling the throne to highest bidder. • 37 Emperors in 100 years. (25 killed by assassination) U.S. • “Read my lips, no new taxes” • Richard Nixon: Watergate 72’ • Governor Blagojevich: Selling Obama’s senate seat.

7. Slide 3: Inferior Technology U.S. • Wifi speeds, cell phone manufacturing, computer breeches Rome • No new technological innovations in later years. • Failure of new inventions meant they couldn’t provide for the growing population. • Relied heavily on human and animal labor.

8. Slide 4: Inflation U.S. Avg price of milk in ‘12 was $3.67 in 1990 was $1.47 NOW $2.33-organic = $3.71 Consumer prices in the United States rose 2 percent year-on-year in October of 2017, below 2.2 percent in September and in line with market expectations. Cost eased for gasoline and fuel oil after hurricane-related production disruptions at oil refineries in the Gulf Coast area gave a boost to energy prices during September and August. Yet, core inflation rose to 1.8 percent, the highest in six months amid rising prices for food, transportation services and medical care. Rome • Stopped conquering new lands meant no new gold. • Gold spent on luxury items meant less gold in coins. • Merchants raised prices due to lesser value of coins. • Coins were replaced by a system of barter.

9. Slide 5: Unemployment U.S. • Predicted to rise: Employers added 261,000 jobs in October as the unemploymentrate fell to 4.1 percent. The economy, as measured by the gross domestic product, • Decline of Union jobs in manufacturing industries. • overqualified? US headed for recession in 2019 as Fed raises rates, economist warns Rome • Cheaper for farmers to use slaves then pay workmen. • Other farms could not compete with lower prices and lost or sold their farms creating latifundias. • Thousands of unemployed in the cities.(proletariats)

10. Slide 6: Urban Decay U.S. • Violent crimes, drug addiction, unsanitary conditions, and homelessness. • Opioid addiction rates skyrocket to nearly 500% in past 7 years - CNN Homeless: In total, 33 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) reported decreases in overall homelessness, while 16 states reported increases. The states with decreases in homelessness were concentrated in the South and Midwest. Rome • Most citizens lived in insulaes that were hot and dirty. • Those who couldn’t pay rent were forced out to the crime infested streets.

11. Slide 7: Decline in Morals Rome • Increase in crimes and violence. • Emperors wasted money on lavish parties. Guests ate and drank until they became ill. • Passion for Gladiatorial Games. U.S. • Movies, music, and TV glorify sex and violence. • Children cannot distinguish from right and wrong. Nearly one-third of American adolescents and adults are affected by anxiety, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It’s the most common mental health disorder in the country.

12. Step 2: Comprehension Questions: Answer the following questions on a lined piece of paper in paragraph form. Cite specific examples from the texts (above). • 1. What problems does our country have today that are similar to those faced by the ancient Romans?2. Which of these problems do you think was the most serious for the Romans?3. Which of these problems do you think is most serious for the United States?4. Why is it too simplistic to blame the fall of Rome on one issue?5. What lessons can the American government and people learn from the fall of the Roman Empire?