1. Exploring the Reasons for the

2. Preview
What are the three most serious problems that threaten the stability of the United States?

3. Objectives
Analyze seven political cartoons on such issues as political corruption, unemployment, military spending, and urban decay to determine how they relate to similar issues that led to the collapse of the Roman Empire
Discuss the similarities and differences between the conditions at the end of the Roman Empire and American society today

4. Political Cartoon 1
What do you think is happening in this political cartoon?
What do you think is the cartoonist’s intended message?
Scan the theory headings to find two or three theories that the cartoon may address.
Read those two or three descriptions to determine which one the cartoon most closely relates.
Record your answer on your chart.
Write a brief explanation for your choice.
Discuss with your group and record on your chart:
What are the similarities and differences between Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?
Several groups will share their responses
Listen carefully, and, when appropriate, add new notes to your chart

5. Political Cartoon 2
What do you think is happening in this political cartoon?
What do you think is the cartoonist’s intended message?
Scan the theory headings to find two or three theories that the cartoon may address.
Read those two or three descriptions to determine which one the cartoon most closely relates.
Record your answer on your chart.
Write a brief explanation for your choice.
Discuss with your group and record on your chart:
What are the similarities and differences between Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?
Several groups will share their responses
Listen carefully, and, when appropriate, add new notes to your chart

6. Political Cartoon 3
What do you think is happening in this political cartoon?
What do you think is the cartoonist’s intended message?
Scan the theory headings to find two or three theories that the cartoon may address.
Read those two or three descriptions to determine which one the cartoon most closely relates.
Record your answer on your chart.
Write a brief explanation for your choice.
Discuss with your group and record on your chart:
What are the similarities and differences between Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?
Several groups will share their responses
Listen carefully, and, when appropriate, add new notes to your chart

7. Political Cartoon 4
What do you think is happening in this political cartoon?
What do you think is the cartoonist’s intended message?
Scan the theory headings to find two or three theories that the cartoon may address.
Read those two or three descriptions to determine which one the cartoon most closely relates.
Record your answer on your chart.
Write a brief explanation for your choice.
Discuss with your group and record on your chart:
What are the similarities and differences between Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?
Several groups will share their responses
Listen carefully, and, when appropriate, add new notes to your chart

8. Political Cartoon 5
What do you think is happening in this political cartoon?
What do you think is the cartoonist’s intended message?
Scan the theory headings to find two or three theories that the cartoon may address.
Read those two or three descriptions to determine which one the cartoon most closely relates.
Record your answer on your chart.
Write a brief explanation for your choice.
Discuss with your group and record on your chart:
What are the similarities and differences between Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?
Several groups will share their responses
Listen carefully, and, when appropriate, add new notes to your chart

9. Political Cartoon 6
What do you think is happening in this political cartoon?
What do you think is the cartoonist’s intended message?
Scan the theory headings to find two or three theories that the cartoon may address.
Read those two or three descriptions to determine which one the cartoon most closely relates.
Record your answer on your chart.
Write a brief explanation for your choice.
Discuss with your group and record on your chart:
What are the similarities and differences between Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?
Several groups will share their responses
Listen carefully, and, when appropriate, add new notes to your chart

10. Political Cartoon 7
What do you think is happening in this political cartoon?
What do you think is the cartoonist’s intended message?
Scan the theory headings to find two or three theories that the cartoon may address.
Read those two or three descriptions to determine which one the cartoon most closely relates.
Record your answer on your chart.
Write a brief explanation for your choice.
Discuss with your group and record on your chart:
What are the similarities and differences between Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?
Several groups will share their responses
Listen carefully, and, when appropriate, add new notes to your chart

11. Discussion
What problems does our country have today that are similar to those faced by the ancient Romans?
Which of these problems do you think was the most serious for Romans
Which of these problems do you think is the most serious for the United State?
Why is it too simplistic to blame the fall of Rome on one issue?
What lessons can the American government and people learn from the fall of the Roman Empire?

12. Human Spectrum
Ten volunteers will place themselves on our human spectrum to represent where they think their assigned theory for the fall of the Roman Empire falls, from most important to least important.
You must be able to justify your placement for your theory.
The class should record the theories on the spectrum on your handout, with a one-sentence justification for each placement.