1. Homework Current events article due Tuesday

2. Aim #10: What were the causes for the fall of the Western Roman Empire? January 22, 2015

3. I. The Beginning of the End A. After the Pax Romana, Rome is ruled by weak, corrupt leaders. Between 235 and 284, there were twenty-two emperors. Most of them were killed by the army or their own bodyguards!

4. I. The Beginning of the End B. Two Emperors try to save Rome  Emperor Diocletian (284-305): Divided the Empire into eastern and western parts. Builds up the army to stop invasions Controls prices of goods to stop inflation To make sure goods were produced, he forces workers to stay in the same jobs until they die.

5.  Emperor Constantine (306-337):  To keep people from leaving their jobs, sons have to do the same thing their fathers did.  Expanded the size of the army and government.  Moves the capital of the Empire from Rome in the west to Constantinople in the east.

6. II. The Fall of Rome Western Roman Empire →Continued to decline and collapsed in 476. Eastern Roman Empire → Capital at Constantinople. Continued as the powerful Byzantine Empire for 1,000 years after Rome fell

7. Critical Thinking Questions Which theory for the fall of the Roman Empire do you find to be most persuasive? Why? Are there any similarities between the problems in Rome discussed in these documents and problems that the United States is facing today?