Question

the fall of the west template
consider the following statement.
the fall of the roman empire was not due to one event but due to many events combined.
complete the chart to reflect on the reasons for the fall of the roman empire in the west.

• explanation--provide a specific example or explanation for each reason in your own words.
• importance--explain how each reason could contribute to the fall of a massive empire.

you should record your answers in the chart in complete sentences.

reason	explanation	importance
rise in power of the eastern empire

Explanation:

For the first reason, the explanation details the financial strain of a large military, and the importance links this strain to systemic imperial weakness. For the second reason, the explanation covers the Eastern Empire's shift in resources and focus, and the importance connects this to the Western Empire's loss of critical support.

Answer:

Reason	Explanation	Importance
Rise in Power of the Eastern Empire	After the Roman Empire split in 395 CE, the Eastern Empire (Byzantium) focused on strengthening its own economy, military, and capital at Constantinople, diverting tax revenue and military reinforcements that would previously have supported the Western Empire. For example, during the Gothic invasions of the 5th century, the Eastern Empire refused to send significant troops to aid the Western Empire's defense.	The Eastern Empire's prioritization of its own stability left the Western Empire under-resourced to handle external invasions and internal crises. Over time, the Western Empire lost access to critical trade routes, military aid, and financial support, making it unable to recover from repeated shocks and ultimately leading to its collapse.