1. FALL OF WESTERN ROME

2. Empire in Crisis
Toward the end of the 3rd Century Ad Rome’s power began to decline
There are 4 reasons for this:
Weak leadership from several emperors
Economic Troubles
Rise of Christianity
Size of Territory and Invasions by foreignors

3. Abuse of Power In the third Century Rome changed Emperors often
The Army became the only power and it was made of mercenaries loyal to their Generals and not Rome
Because of this many provinces regained independence and left Rome
In 395 the Roman Empire split into the Western (Rome) and Eastern(Constantinople) Empires

4. Financial Troubles
During this time France was also having money(financial) problems
The Rich just wanted to get richer while enjoying the benefits of power
The regular people suffered for this and became poorer due to heavy taxes
Workers, artisans, and Farmers seeking employment were faced with the competition of many slaves
The Cities were filled with many jobless people

5. Rise of Christianity
In the first century the Disciples of Jesus preached a new religion that gained many followers in Rome among the poor
The leaders in Rome worried about this new religion and they persecuted the Christians (many were fed to the lions in the circus)
Even though Rome was unwelcoming about 1/10th of Rome became Christian
Emperor Constantine having seen a cross in his dream the night before a battle became Christian when that battle was won
Ruling from 379 to 395, Emperor Theodosius I was the first emperor to decree that all citizens should be Christian.

6. Rome Invaded
Another series that shook the Empire: waves and waves of Foreigners invading the Roman Empire
Because of its size the Boarders of Rome were difficult to defend
One group known as the vandals sacked Rome in 455 and is where we get the word vandalism from
Over the 4th century Rome broke into several kingdoms and fell in 476 BCE
The eastern Half lasted another 1000 years after the fall of Rome