Transcript lesson 10 – fall of rome - Middle School History

LESSON 10 – FALL OF ROME
Examples of the Roles of
Government
1. Support a legal system and protect
property rights
– Rome had an extensive system of laws created
to protect the rights of free people.
– Roman law influenced legal systems well after
Rome’s fall.
FOCUS MIDDLE SCHOOL WORLD HISTORY © COUNCIL FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION, NEW YORK, NY
LESSON 10 – FALL OF ROME
Examples of the Roles of
Government
2. Provide public goods (such as national
defense)
– Rome’s military was an important aspect of the
Empire’s success.
– Through taxpayer support, the military was
designed to protect all Roman citizens from
outside forces.
– Public goods have two characteristics:
• Shareable
• Not excludable
FOCUS MIDDLE SCHOOL WORLD HISTORY © COUNCIL FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION, NEW YORK, NY
LESSON 10 – FALL OF ROME
Examples of the Roles of
Government
3. Maintain competition in markets
– Early Rome encouraged free trade.
– The Roman government protected private
individuals so they could decide how to use
their income and profits. Competition lowered
prices and helped increase the variety and
amount of goods, services, and resources
available.
FOCUS MIDDLE SCHOOL WORLD HISTORY © COUNCIL FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION, NEW YORK, NY
LESSON 10 – FALL OF ROME
Examples of the Roles of
Government
4. Redistribute income through tax collection
and government programs
– Programs like bread production were subsidized
or partly paid for by all taxpayers, but only a
small group could get the subsidized bread.
– Horse and chariot races (also called circuses)
and gladiator competitions were sponsored by
the government. For a variety of reasons, only
a few citizens actually participated.
FOCUS MIDDLE SCHOOL WORLD HISTORY © COUNCIL FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION, NEW YORK, NY
LESSON 10 – FALL OF ROME
Other Causes of Fall of Rome
• External military threats
• People fleeing the Empire due
to the invasion of diseases and
plagues
• Climate change
• Rapid inflation
• The spread of Christianity
• Overall moral decay
FOCUS MIDDLE SCHOOL WORLD HISTORY © COUNCIL FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION, NEW YORK, NY