The western Roman empire finally collapsed due to what?
There were many factors that led to the collapse of the western Roman empire, including economic troubles, military overspending, political corruption and instability, overreliance on slave labor, invasion and attacks by barbarian tribes, and internal divisions and conflicts within the empire. However, historians generally agree that the final collapse was triggered by the sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 AD, which weakened the already struggling Roman state beyond repair.
What conditions most directly resulted from the Imperial Crisis? Select the three correct answers.
A.
adoption of Christianity as official religion
B.
devaluation of money and high inflation
C.
increase in taxes and greater disparity
D.
ongoing civil wars
E.
persecution of Christians
F.
strengthening of borders
G.
cuts to military forces and soldiers' pay
B, C, and G. (Devaluation of money and high inflation, increase in taxes and greater disparity, and cuts to military forces and soldiers' pay)
How did internal political strife make protecting the Roman empire difficult?
A.
Roman armies were caught up in conflicts between generals.
B.
Roman citizens were too angry about political corruption to fight.
C.
Roman officials were more focused on elections than on the borders.
D.
Roman generals enlisted foreign mercenaries to help them win power.
A. Roman armies were caught up in conflicts between generals.
The collapse of the Western Roman Empire was a complex process influenced by various factors. There are different theories and debates among historians about the exact causes. However, some key factors that contributed to the fall of the Western Roman Empire include:
1. Barbarian Invasions: One of the primary factors was the continuous invasions by various barbarian tribes. Germanic tribes, such as the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, and others, gradually weakened and eventually overran the Western Roman Empire. These invasions put significant pressure on Roman territories, leading to political instability and military incapacity to defend its borders.
2. Economic Issues: The Roman Empire faced economic challenges, including increasing taxation to support a vast bureaucracy, military expenses, and lavish lifestyles of the ruling elite. This burdened the economy and led to inflation, a decline in agricultural productivity, and trade disruptions, further weakening the empire.
3. Political Instability: Internal power struggles, frequent changes in leadership, and corruption within the Roman government weakened its overall stability. The emperors' continuous struggles for power and frequent assassinations created a chaotic political environment, making it difficult to govern effectively.
4. Decline of the Roman Legions: The highly disciplined and efficient Roman legions, which were once the backbone of the empire's military strength, started to decline. Multiple factors, such as reduced recruitment pool, lack of training, and internal conflicts among the soldiers, weakened the military's effectiveness in defending the empire.
5. Social and Moral Decline: There was a decline in civic virtues, such as patriotism, discipline, and loyalty to the state, among the Roman populace. Additionally, the growing wealth gap between the rich and the poor, along with widespread corruption, further destabilized society.
It's important to note that the fall of the Western Roman Empire was a gradual process that unfolded over several centuries rather than a sudden event. The above factors, among others, contributed to the ultimate collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE, when the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer.