CONTENT STATEMENT
- The Roman Empire collapsed due to various internal and external factors (political, social and economic) which led to the development of feudalism and the manorial system in the region. The fall of Rome and later invasions also allowed for the creation of new empires in the region.
CONTENT ELABORATION
Rome weakened for many reasons, including but not limited to, the split between Western and Eastern Roman Empires, government corruption, civil war, lack of conquest, weakening military, shifting power from West to East, moral decline, and inflation. The decline of the Roman Empire in the West was hastened by Germanic invasions.
The lack of central government in the West led to the development of feudal and manorial systems. Feudalism was the system by which medieval Europeans organized their power and governments. Vassals received land and protection from a lord when they worked and fought for him. It might be understood as a pyramid with the monarch presiding over a hierarchy of less important vassals.
The manorial system was related to feudalism. It was an economic relationship between the peasants and lord. The peasants worked on land owned by the lord in return for fixed dues in kind, money and services. The manorial system prevailed in many European countries. While the Western Empire fell, the Eastern Roman Empire became known as the Byzantine Empire and lasted until the mid-15th Century.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Describe how internal and external factors helped to break up the Roman Empire and set the stage for the development of feudal and manorial systems.