1.
The Western Roman Empire's structural weakness played a significant role in its collapse. For starters, internal divisions and political instability weakened the country's ability to withstand external pressures. Second, the empire's vitality suffered by economic decline, which was worsened by excessive taxation and reliance on slave labor. Finally, the empire's size worsened communication and coordination, making it difficult to respond effectively to external threats. These factors, taken together, weakened the empire's resilience and played a critical role in its eventual collapse.
2.
The decline of cities played a significant role in the fall of the Western Roman Empire. First, urban decay was caused by economic difficulties, which led to a decline in trade and productivity. Second, within cities, internal conflict and political instability weakened the empire's unity. Finally, the decreased urban population resulted in a lower tax base, affecting the state's financial capabilities. These factors all contributed to the empire's vulnerability, allowing for it's collapse. 3.
Historians differentiate in their views of the fall of the Western Roman Empire, with three main points of view: those supporting a single cause, those attributing it to multiple causes, and those arguing for a transformation rather than a "fall." While I initially chose a single cause, my position now more closely aligns with the multiple causes viewpoint, recognizing the intricate interplay of factors such as economic decline, political instability, military challenges, and external invasions in contributing to the empire's demise. This improved approach provides a thorough understanding of the event.
