1. The Fall of the Roman Empire 476 A.D.
Today you will be reading to find out the reasons that the Roman Empire fell apart. Work with your group to find the causes for the Fall of the Roman Empire.

2. Read 240-241 and look for reasons for the Fall of the Roman Empire:
Political Reasons
– gov’t and rulers.
Economic Reasons
– money, taxes, trade, jobs
Foreign Reasons
– forces from outside of Rome

3. After reading 240-241, answer:
Page
Understanding Main Ideas #8:
- What were the main reasons for the fall of Rome?
Critical Thinking #4:
- What happens to a government if it does not have rules for passing on power from leader to leader?

4. The Fall of the Roman Empire 476 A.D.
After the Pax Romana, conditions in the Roman Empire worsened until by AD, the empire no longer existed.

5. We will be looking for the following reasons for the Fall of the Roman Empire:
Political Reasons
– gov’t and rulers.
Economic Reasons
– money, taxes, trade, jobs
Foreign Reasons
– forces from outside of Rome

6. Political Reasons:
No written rule of who would inherit the throne as emperor.
Legions fought each other to put their own emperor on the throne.

7. Economic Reasons:
Emperor had to keep his soldiers happy if he wanted to stay in office.
- he paid them high wages
→ to get this money, Romans had to pay high taxes
There was inflation = Increasing prices for goods, because gold was used to make luxury items for the wealthy instead of making coins.
→ Money lost its value and prices went up.
→ People stopped using coins and started bartering again.

8. Foreign Reason:
Rome was in constant fighting with itself over political and economical problems.
The frontiers borders were left open for invasion.
- Germanic hunters and herders raided Roman cities.
- They used iron stirrups which strengthened their cavalry = soldiers on horseback.

9. By 476 AD, Germanic people were in control of much of the Roman Empire.

10. **Now turn to page 245, and on the back of your notes, answer:
- Understanding Main Ideas #8
- Critical Thinking #4