1. Fall of Rome

3. Why West Fell-Economic Small farmers abandoned land –Became workers on large estates –Lost desire to increase production Heavy, unjust taxation –Burdened people –Destroyed ambition to work and progress Widespread use of slaves Debasing of currency

5. Why West Fell-Social People only interested in luxury & survival Ideals had almost vanished Sharp class distinctions Disease Cities declined –Previous centers of culture and industry –People fled to rural regions –Decline in infastructure

6. Why West Fell-Military Roman armies included German mercenaries Armies considered themselves masters of the state, not its servants

7. Why West Fell-Political Corrupt dictatorial government Did not have people’s loyalty Empire could not be governed efficiently from one central city –Primitive transportation –Poor communication Rivalry over succession led to civil wars

8. Germanic Invasion Germans allowed to settle Huns pushed more Germans in –Visigoths in Spain –Ostrogoths in Italy –Vandals in North Africa –Franks in Gaul –Angles & Saxons in Britain 476AD-last Roman emperor Other factors of decline made them vulnerable to external attack.