Jacob Southall - fall_of_rome_dbq

Question: Using the documents, analyze the social/cultural, political and economic causes of the fall of the Roman Emplre ~ame _ Date . _ DBQ 3:FALL OF THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE Historical Context Inthe third century c.E., Romefaced many problems. Inaddition to internal decay, the invasion byGermanic tribes seemed to sound the death knell forthe Western Roman Empire. Historians have examined both the internal conditions that weakened the expansive empire and the external force ofthe barbarian invasions. From this, historians have developed avariety ofexplanations forthe fall ofthe Western Roman Empire. • Directions: The following question is based on the accompanying documents in Part A. As you analyze the documents, take into account both the source of each document and the author's point of view. Be sure to do each of the following steps: 1. Carefully read the document-based question. Consider what you already know about this topic. How would you answer the question if you had no documents to examine? 2. Read each document carefully, underlining key phrases and words that address the document-based question. You may also wish to use the margin to make brief notes. Answer the questions that follow each document before moving on to the next document. 3. Based on your own knowledge and on the information in the documents, formulate a thesis that directly answers the document-based question. 4. Organize supportive and relevant information into a brief outline. 5. Write a well-organized essay proving your thesis. You should present your essay logically. Include information both from the documents and from your own knowledge beyond the documents. • The following documents address the causes for the fall of Rome. Examine each document carefully. In the space provided, answer the question or questions that follow each document. (continued) © 1999, 2007 Walch Publishing 17 Document-Based !\sSL'ssmentfor Global HistOl~1 •. ~ ..... • '#"'

Date _ Narne _ DBQ 3:FALLOF THEWESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE Document 1 Tills adapted excerpt describes the Western Roman Empire. The basic trouble was that very few inhabitants of the empire believed that the old civilization was worth saving .... [I]he overwhelming majority of the population had been systematically excluded from political responsibilities. They could not organize to protect themselves; they could not serve in the army . ... Their economic plight was hopeless. Most of them were serfs bound to the soil, and the small urban groups saw their cities slipping into uninterrupted decline Source: Strayer, Gatzke, and Harbison, The Course ~f Civilization, Harcourt, Brace and World, lnc., 1961 (adapted) What were the basicproblems facing the Western Roman Empire, according to these authors? Document 2 This adapted excerpt describes the fall ofthe Roman Empire. The decline of Rome was the natural and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness [large size] .... The introduction ... of Christianity had some influence on the decline and fall of the Roman empire. The clergy successfully preached the doctrine ofpatience; the active virtues of society were discouraged; and the last remains ofmilitary spirit were buried in the cloister; a large portion of public and private wealth was consecrated to the ... demands of charity and devotion .... Source: Edward Gibbon, The Decline and Fall ~fthe Roman Empire, 1776-88 (adapted) According to tills excerpt from Gibbon, what were two causes for the fall of Rome? Explain both. Document-Based Assessment for Global Hi5tOJ~1 (con tinued) 18 © 1999, 2007 Walch Publishing

Name _ Date _ DBQ 3:FALLOF THEWESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE Why did the Roman government have large expenses? What was the effect of high taxation on the people? What effect did the establishment of a governmental welfare system have on the people? Document 5 This excerpt blames the fall on "internal decay," specifically that ofthe military. Rome, like all great empires, was not overthrown by external enemies but undermined by internal decay .... The military crisis was the result of ... proud old aristocracy's ... shortage ofchildren. [Consequently,] foreigners poured into this ... void [lack of soldiers]. The Roman army [was] composed entirely ofGermans. Source: lndro Montanelli, Romans Without Laurels, Pantheon Books, 1962 (adapted) What did this author identify as the cause ofproblems in the military? (continued) Document-Based Assessment for Global Hi5tUJ~1 20 © 1999,2007 Walch Publishing

~arne _ Date _ DBQ 3:FALLOF THEWESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE Document 6 This map shows the barbarian invasions of the Roman Empire prior to 476. KEY SYMBOLS -- TRIBES HUNS VISIGOTHS FRANKS _ .... - ANGLO·SAXONS - _ VANDALS ---- NORTHMEN According to the map above, what was the cause of the fall of the Roman Empire? Was this a unified attack? Explain . • ~QUestion: Using the documents, analyze the social/cultural, political and economic causes of the fall of ; the Roman Empire. _ -- ------ -- -------- ---- - - © 1999,2007 Walch Publishing 21 Document-Based Assessment for Global History