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DBQ 2: 'Fall:of the Western Roman Empire

Historical Context:In the third century A.D.Rome faced many problems. In addition to internal decay, the invasion by

Germanic tribes seemed to sound the death knell for the Western Roman Empire. Historians have examinedboth the internal conditions that weakened the expansive empire and the external force of the barbarian inva-sions and have presented a variety of explanations for the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

. Directions: The following question is based on the accompanying documents in Part A. Asyouanalyze the documents, take into atcount both the source of the document and the author's pointof view. Be sure to:1. Carefully read the document-based question. Consider what you already know about this topic.Howwould you answer the question if you had no documents to examine?

2. Now, read each document carefully, underlining key phrases and words that address thedocument-based question. You may also wish to use the margin to make brief notes. Answerthe questions which follow each document.

3. Based on your own knowledge and on the information found in the documents, formulatea thesis that directly answers the question.

~ Organize supportive and relevant information into a brief outline.5. Write a well-organized essay proving your thesis. The essay should be logically presented andshould include information both from the documents and fromyour own knowledge outsid~.of tne documents.

. PartA: The followjng documents address the causesfor the fall of Rome.Examineeach documentcarefully,and answer the questions that follow. .

Document 1

This excerpt is from a textbook, TheCourseof Civilizationby Strayer, Gatzke, and Harbison (Harcourt,Brace and World, Inc., 1961).

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The basic trouble was that very few inIrabitants of the empire believed that the oldcivil,ization was worth saving. . . the overwhelming majority of the population had beensystematically excluded from political responsibilities. They could not organize to prot~ctthemselves; they could not serve in the army. . . . Their economic plight was hopeless. Mostof them were serfs bound to the soil, and the small urban groups saw their cities slippinginto uninterrupted decline.

What were the basic problems facing the Western Roman Empire according to these autllors?

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DBQ 2: Fall ofthe:Westert:l Roman Empire (continued)Document 2

This is an excerpt from. ~ ;;:ri..~:t.f. Fa!:of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon.

The decline of Rome~.a:s ;:t:e::amra: and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness [largesize] . . . The intI"Ood~""t:.=- ::-iChrisrianity, had some influence on the decline and fallof the Roman em~""e..":".=.e~ successfullypreached the doctrine of patience; the activevirtues of society 9i~ d::s.:..~ and the last remains of military spirit were buried in thecloister; a large po~ ==;.":"';:: :md private wealth was consecrated to the. . . demands ofcharity and devorioG..--

According to this ~!II:m ~~ what were two causes for the fall of Rome? Explain both.

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Document 3"

This excerpt is fn:Jc -W c;;:t°,,- :!"i:.5' ~ Hffbert J. Muller.

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Firsr the ecoDOuDc ::: r~ T::::'" me empire was expanding, its prosperity was fed byplundered wealm and ;;:-r~"'" ~~ in th~ semi-barbaric provinces. When the empireceased to expan~h~ t'\'"'..,.,~ progress SOQnceased. . .. "The abundance of sIa~ .0: :-.:.~ growth of the latifundia, the great estates that. . . cameto dominate agricul~ ~..: ~ ::::a.:'iree c%ni [farmers] who drifted to the cities, to add tothe unemploymenr ~ ~ .z:...~nce of slaves likewise kept wages low.

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What economic issues d..~ ;l~ ~ ~ causes for decline? Explain.

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1How was slavery a cause a;m ~ de;:tine of the Roman Empire?

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@ 1999J. Weston Walch. ~ 7Document-Based Assessment (i)Activities for GlobalHistory Classes

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DBQ 2: Fall ofth~ ~estern Roman Empire (continued)~

Document 4~.

This excerpt, from TheNewDealin Old Romeby Henry Haskell, blames the decline on the heavytaxation required to support the government's expenses.

. . . Part of the money went into. . . the maintenance of the army and of the vast bureau-cracy required by a centralized government. . . the expense led to strangling taxanon. . . .The heart was taken out of enterprising men. . . tenants fled from their farms and business-men and workmen from their occupations. Private enterprise was crushed and the state wasforced to take over many kinds of business to keep the machine running. People learnedto expect something for nothing. The old Roman virtues of self-reliance and initiative werelost in that part of the population on relief [welfare]. .. . The central government under-took such far-reaching responsibility in affairs that the fiber of the citizens weakened.

Why did the Roman government have large expenses?

What was the effect of high taxation on the people?=What effect .~d the establishment of a governmental welfare system have on the people?

Document 5

This excerpt, from RomansWitlwullmrrelsby Indro Montanelli, blames the fall on "internal decay,"specifically that of the military.

Rome, like all great empir~ was not overthrown by external enemies but undermined byinternal decay. . . . The military crisis was the result of . . . proud old aristocracy's. . . short-age of children. [Consequ<tffilylforeigners poured into this. . . void [lack of soldiers]. TheRoman army [was] composed entirely of Germans.

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What does this author identify as the cause of problems in the military?

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DBQ 2: Fall o( the ~Western Roman Empire (continued)~ '

Ddcument 6This map shows the barbarian invasions of the Roman Empire prior to 476.

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TRIBESHUNSVISIGOTHSFRANKS ~ANGLO-SAXONS- - - ~VANDALS -----..NORTHMEN -- -- - - -

SYMBOLS.

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SCALE IN MILES- ,0 200 4CC

According to the ffi<l:T~ what was the cause of the fall of the Roman Empire?....

Was this a unified ~

. Part B-Essay

What cmLSed1Mfllll of the Wes.

@1999 J. Weston Walch, PublisherDocument-Based Assessment (i)Activitiesfor GlobalHistoryClasses9

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