History 133 Grade Rubric And Score

History 133134rubric Score Grade Resea

Identify the core assignment question or prompt, removing grading rubrics, point allocations, meta-instructions, due dates, repetitive lines, and extraneous details. Keep only the essential instructions for the research paper.

The cleaned assignment prompt is: Write a research paper based on the provided rubric guidelines, selecting one of the 35 listed historical questions, and develop a comprehensive, well-supported answer about that topic, incorporating primary and secondary sources, analysis, and relevant context.

Paper For Above instruction

Historical inquiry allows us to understand the multifaceted nature of human societies, their development, and their interactions over time. For this assignment, I have selected question 15: "What political, social, and economic factors contributed to the collapse of Roman government in the West by the end of the 5th century A.D.?" This topic encompasses a complex interplay of internal and external pressures that culminated in the fall of one of history's most influential civilizations. Through examining these factors, we can gains insights into the nature of imperial decline and the forces that reshape societies.

The decline of the Western Roman Empire is a profound historical event that marked the end of ancient civilization and the transition toward medieval Europe. Multiple political, social, and economic factors contributed to its collapse, which, although often attributed primarily to barbarian invasions, was in reality the result of a long process of internal decay exacerbated by external pressures.

Politically, the Roman Empire faced severe instability during its final centuries. Periodic civil wars, weak leadership, and corruption undermined state authority. Emperor Diocletian’s reforms in the late third century attempted to address administrative fragmentation, but they ultimately proved insufficient. The division of the empire into Eastern and Western regions created competing centers of power, with the Western Roman Empire plagued by ineffective leadership and frequent usurpations ( Heather, 2005). The lack of a stable succession and the diminishing loyalty of the army further weakened the political structure, leading to a paralysis of governance and inability to effectively respond to crises.

Socially, the empire experienced a decline in civic pride, sense of unity, and military morale. Increasing corruption, economic disparity, and the erosion of traditional Roman values contributed to social fragmentation. The decline of the urban centers, which had been the backbone of Roman culture and administration, reflected and reinforced social disintegration ( Ward-Perkins, 2005). The reliance on barbarian mercenaries to defend the borders alienated the native Roman population and diluted the cohesion of the military and the state apparatus.

Economically, the empire was beleaguered by a series of financial crises. Heavy taxation, currency devaluation, inflation, and a shrinking tax base drained resources necessary for defense and public welfare. The destruction of agricultural productivity due to invasions and internal strife further destabilized the economy ( Scheidel, 2010). Trade routes were disrupted by barbarian invasions, leading to a decline in commerce and the impoverishment of urban centers. The reliance on slave labor and the failure to innovate also hampered economic resilience in the face of external shocks.

Externally, waves of barbarian invasions by Visigoths, Vandals, Ostrogoths, and Huns exerted relentless pressure on the empire’s frontiers. The sack of Rome in 410 by the Visigoths and later the conquest of North Africa by the Vandals in 439 symbolized the empire’s weakening grip on its territories (Heather, 2005). The Huns, under Attila, pushed into Roman territories, further destabilizing borders and sapping resources. These invasions were facilitated by internal weaknesses, overextension, and diplomatic failures.

The culmination of these factors was the fall of the city of Rome in 476 A.D., traditionally marked as the end of the Western Roman Empire. However, this event was more symbolic than purely causal; the process of decline had been ongoing for centuries, involving an intertwined web of political chaos, social decay, economic hardship, and external invasions. The collapse of Roman authority in the West ultimately transitioned Europe into the early medieval period, a time characterized by decentralized monarchies, feudal structures, and shifting centers of power.

In conclusion, the fall of the Western Roman Empire was a multifaceted process driven by interrelated political, social, and economic factors, compounded by external invasions. Understanding these factors offers valuable insights into the dynamics of empire decline, the transformation of civilizations, and the enduring legacy of Roman institutions. Recognizing the complexity of this decline challenges simplistic narratives and enhances our comprehension of historical transformations.

References

• Heather, P. (2005). The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History. Oxford University Press.
• Scheidel, W. (2010). The Finances of the Roman Empire in the Empire's Decline. Princeton University Press.
• Ward-Perkins, B. (2005). The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization. Oxford University Press.