8.8 The Fall of RomeEnd of the Ancient World

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Reasons for the Fall of RomePolitical Instability

Economic and Social Issues

Poor Military

Political Instability

Could not figure out how to choose the next leader

Power was in the Army

Emperors were often Murdered

CORRUPT POLITICIANS

• No one ever came up with a reliable system for choosing emperors

• Emperors stole from treasury

• Money problems…Roman emperors would give soldiers money to make sure they remained loyal

• Cheaper money was created which lowered value of money

Economic and Social Issues

Large Empire meant a lot of money to be paid

Had to tax the citizens

Drove many into poverty

Division of Labor Challenges• Food Shortages

• High Unemployment

• Gaps by the Roman border allowed invaders to come in and attack

Poor MilitaryThe size of the empire made it hard to defend.

Germanic tribes were pressing hard to get into the empire

Loyalty to Rome was low

Why did the Roman Empire Fall?

• Violence…

• Many leaders were assassinated and new leaders would gain control. This happened a lot