As you continue with your portfolio assignment, record facts that you learn about
each cause for the decline of the Byzantine Empire. To start, write down two facts
that you learned.
Question 1
Using research from this learning object and EBSCO, what are the causes of the
decline of the Byzantine Empire according to historians? Why? What do you theorize
as the most important cause of the decline of the Byzantine Empire?
Fact 1: One cause of the decline of the Byzantine Empire was the Fourth Crusade in 1204. The Crusaders, instead of aiding the Byzantines in their fight against the Muslims, actually attacked and sacked Constantinople, severely weakening the empire.
Fact 2: Another cause of the decline was the rise of the Ottoman Turks. The Ottoman Empire gradually expanded into Byzantine territories, capturing important cities and eventually besieging Constantinople itself, leading to its eventual fall in 1453.
According to historians, the causes of the decline of the Byzantine Empire can be attributed to a combination of external threats, internal instability, and economic factors. The constant attacks from various external enemies, such as the Crusaders and the Ottoman Turks, put a significant strain on the empire's resources and military capabilities. Additionally, internal conflicts and power struggles within the Byzantine Empire weakened its political and military unity.
The most important cause of the decline of the Byzantine Empire is a matter of interpretation and may vary among historians. However, many argue that the relentless expansion and military prowess of the Ottoman Turks ultimately led to the downfall of the Byzantine Empire. The Ottoman Empire's gradual encroachment and capture of Byzantine territories, culminating in the siege and fall of Constantinople, marked the end of the empire's existence.