1. The Fall of the Roman and Han Empire

2. Two Powerful Empires What do you remember about these two Empires?
Han Empire (China)
Roman Empire
What do you remember about these two Empires?
Brainstorm at least two facts per Empire
(more if you can)

3. Two Powerful Empires Historical Background
Han Empire (China)
Roman Empire
Dominated Asia for more than 400 years
Powerful and prosperous empire based upon Confucian ideas and education
Dominated Europe for more than 500 years
Powerful and prosperous Empire based on a well organized bureaucracy – founded on Roman law and classical learning
Notes:
-Powerful Empire based on Confucian Ideas
Notes:
-Powerful and prosperous empire based on Roman law and classical learning
So What do you think led
to their decline?

4. Han Empire (China) Historical Background
Han Dynasty – first to unite China (leader Liu Bang)
Liu Bang was popular among the peasants (lowered taxes)
Carefully chose who he put in powerful positions such as rich land owners
When he died he left a stable and prospering kingdom behind
A series of strong rulers followed
Notes:
-1st to unite China
Liu Bang:
great ruler
lowered taxes

5. Han Empire (China) Economic
Over time the Han Empire continued to expand and build their armies
PROBLEM WAS:
Wars and large armies were expensive!
Land became overpopulated
It became harder and harder to make a living and pay their increasing taxes!
Notes:
Expansion = PROBLEMS
Wars and Armies are expensive
Overpopulation
Harder to make a living
Higher taxes

6. More trouble… Political
Less tax money meant less government services
Corruption in the government left emperors weak
some plotted against the emperors to weaken them
Noble families tried to fix things by taking over land and forcing free farmers to work for them
Population was reduced by plagues (diseases) that left less people to pay the high taxes!
Peasants were NOT happy!
BUT a clear line of rulers allowed
emperors to maintain power!
Notes:
-less money = less services
-corruption weakened government
-noble families took over land
-Population reduced by plagues
-fewer people to pay taxes
-clear line of rulers stabilized power

7. The final blow… Conflict
Invasion by nomadic invaders from the north and the Korean Peninsula
One emperor tried to gain control back but that just led to more civil wars and unrest…
No Worries:
With China’s clear line of succession and strong bureaucratic system they are able to make a comeback!
Notes:
Nomadic invaders
One emperor tried to gain control but it led to civil war/unrest
China will come back

8. Turn and Talk
Discuss with your partner at least three reasons why the Han Empire fell.
Then determine which of these three is the most important.
Be ready to explain WHY!

9. Now onto the Roman Empire…
Insert brain break here…

10. Roman Empire Historical Background
The Roman Empire was so large it was difficult for one person to control so it was divided in to two parts…
Eastern
Western
Notes:
-So large it was divided into east and west

11. Roman Empire Economic Also… Plagues hit the people of Rome hard
Less people farming and making a living so they had less money to pay taxes
Taxes increased
Notes:
-Plagues
-fewer people farming & less money to pay taxes
-Taxes increased

12. Roman Empire Political
The Eastern Empire flourished while
the Western Empire became weaker and weaker…
The Western Empire was dealing with internal political problems and a lack of tax revenues
The Roman rulers were unable to find people (bureaucrats) who could enforce their laws
There was NO clear line of
succession when a ruler died
which led to civil wars between
the people
Notes:
-Western Empire weakened
-internal problems
-lack of taxes
-unable to enforce laws
-No clear line of succession

13. EVENTUALLY- Roman Empire Conflict
Rome was invaded by The Huns (from Asia) and The Visigoths (Germanic tribe)
EVENTUALLY-
Notes:
-Invaded by Huns & Visigoths
-Rome is OVER!
This was the END of the Roman Empire!

14. Turn and Talk
Why were the Huns and Visigoths able to defeat the once powerful Romans?
After the invasion of the Huns and Visigoths, why do you think that Rome wasn’t able to come back?

15. Compare and Contrast

16. The 3 Rules of a Good Thesis
1) Answers the question.
Be specific.
2) Takes a position.
The reader should be able to agree or disagree with your position.
3) Mentions the topics for your supporting paragraphs.
Tell how your paper is going to be organized.

17. Write a thesis statement
Ticket out the Door
Write a thesis statement
Write a thesis statement comparing the fall of the Han and the Roman Empire!
Remember the 3 Rules of a GOOD THESIS!