1. FALL OF THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE Chapter 2, Section 2

2. Problems in the Empire  Because the Empire was too big, emperors began giving up sections of land.  Germanic warriors (barbarians) attacked Rome to the north.  Persian armies invaded in the east.

3. Cause and Effect  Rome needed an army, so not enough people were left to farm.  Romans invited Germanic farmers to grow crops on Roman land.  These farmers came from the same tribes as the invaders and eventually began to create their own government inside the empire.

4. Other Problems  Disease killed a lot of people.  The government increased taxes to support its defense.

5. Question Time  1. Review your notes and create a question that can be answered by the information found there.  2. Review your notes for a second time and create a question that relates to the information but cannot be found in your notes.  Discuss your questions with your group.

6. Division of the Empire  Diocletian took power in the late 200s and divided the empire.  Diocletian ruled the eastern half.  Constantine reunited the halves.  He also moved the capital to Constantinople in Turkey.

7. Barbarians Invade Rome  Huns – fierce warriors from Central Asia.  Pushed the Goths into Rome.  Rome paid the Goths not to attack them, but got tired of paying them off.  Goth sacked Rome in 410AD.  Vandals, Angles, Saxons, Jutes and Franks also invaded the empire.

8. Strong Leaders  Clovis :  Frankish (Germanic) king  Built a kingdom in Gaul by 480s.  Christian  Very powerful  Attila the Hun:  From Asia  Fierce warrior

9. Question Time  1. Review your notes and create a question that can be answered by the information found there.  2. Review your notes for a second time and create a question that relates to the information but cannot be found in your notes.  Discuss your questions with your group.

10. End of the Western Empire  By the 400s, the emperors were weak, or no good.  By the 450s, military leaders ruled instead of emperors.  Barbarians invaded, and in 476 a barbarian general named himself the king of Italy.

11. Factors in Rome’s Fall  Corruption of government officials – they took bribes and used threats to help themselves.  Barbarian invasions  Size – it was too big to control.  Wealthy citizens left the cities and created their own armies.  Taxes increased and the people left in the cities were too poor to afford anything.

12. Question Time  1. Review your notes and create a question that can be answered by the information found there.  2. Review your notes for a second time and create a question that relates to the information but cannot be found in your notes.  Discuss your questions with your group.

13. Final Questions…  With your group, choose the three best questions that can be answered with your notes. Write the question and answer for each on the piece of paper.  Now choose two of the best questions that cannot be answered with your notes and write them on the piece of paper.  These may end up in a quiz…

14. Review Activity – Strong Leaders  Choose from Diocletian, Constantine, Clovis, or Atilla The Hun.  Create a “campaign” poster for your chosen leader.  The poster should have a picture or symbol to represent your leader.  Include important adjectives to explain why your person should lead the Empire.

15. Examples of Campaign Posters