About the History - Essay Example

About the History About the History This paper seeks to explore the factors that contributed to the dissolution of the Roman Empire. In doing so, the paper will discuss both the external and internal factors, which contributed to the dissolution of this empire. In addition, the paper will discuss how and why the Spanish and French established empires in the New World. Moreover, the paper will explore why the English settlement at Plymouth is considered pivotal in the American History. #1 During the middle years of the third century, the Roman Empire suffered from a period of crisis, which was characterized by military anarchy. This period lasted from the Alexander Severus’ death to the reign of Diocletian. During this period, the Empire witnessed rapid changes of emperors. Despite the turbulent times that the empire went through, it succeeded in sustaining itself. However, this crisis precipitated the splitting of the empire into two divides, one comprising of the Eastern Empire while the other comprised of the Western Empire. The splitting of the empire into the eastern and western empires can be regarded as one of the internal factors, which contributed to the dissolution of the Roman Empire (Gibbon, Lentin & Norman, 1998). Another internal factor that contributed to the dissolution of the Roman Empire included the antagonism between the emperor and the senate. The emperor had the power to make decisions with regard to issues related to religion, civil affairs, and the military affairs of the Empire. The Senate acted as the advisory body to the Emperor. As a result of the powers accorded to his office, the emperor became. This led to numerous disagreements between the emperors and the senators, thus leading to the dissolution of the Empire (Gibbon, Lentin & Norman, 1998). Another internal factor that contributed to the dissolution of the Roman Empire included the decline in morals within the empire. The rich upper class, the emperor, and the nobility became immoral, and this had a negative impact on the empire. Some of the immoral behaviors that characterized the empire included sexual immorality, which entailed orgies and adultery. The immoral behaviors of the empire also encompassed the keeping of young boys for the purposes of pleasure by Emperor Tiberius (Gibbon, Lentin & Norman, 1998). Other internal factors that can be attributed to the dissolution of the Roman Empire included forced prostitution, which used to be common in brothels. The masses got angered by such acts and expressed their bitterness towards the empire. This had a devastating impact on the empire, leading to its dissolution. Another internal factor that can be attributed to the fall of the Roman Empire included the Praetorian Guard, as well as Political Corruption prevalent in the Empire. The Praetorian Guard included the elite soldiers who acted as bodyguards to the empire. These soldiers misused the powers they had to the extent that they decided to overthrow the emperor and choose who could become a new emperor (Gibbon, Lentin & Norman, 1998). Poor economy and the rising inflation also contributed to the dissolution of the Roman Empire. Heavy taxation of the Roman people by the empire also precipitated the dissolution of the Empire. Unemployment among the working classes also led to the collapse of the Roman Empire. Unemployment resulted from the Empire’s acquisition of cheap labor from slaves. As a result, the working classes started depending on the government for assistance. This had an impact on the empire, thus leading to its collapse (Gibbon, Lentin & Norman, 1998). Some external factors also contributed to the dissolution of the Roman Empire. One external factor that led to the dissolution of the Roman Empire included the expansion of the Empire. The fast growth of the Empire called for measures, which could be used in order to defend the boundaries of the Empire. The people conquered by the Romans were subjected to high taxes, as a result of which they rebelled against the empire, thus leading to its dissolution. Wars between the Roman Empire and other Empires can be regarded as another external factor, which contributed to the collapse of this Empire. As a result of the wars, the Empire had to spend heavily in terms of military since many soldiers and arms were needed. The Empire was faced by bankruptcy as a result of the heavy spending. This made it easy for other empires to conquer the Roman Empire, thus leading to it dissolution (Gibbon, Lentin & Norman, 1998). #2 During the 15th and the 16th centuries, Spain became a leading European nation in the colonial expansion and global exploration of the New World. During this time, there were a lot of trading activities taking place along the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. After defeating the Aztec and Inca, Spain became a force to reckon with in both South and North America. Afterwards, the Spanish expanded to parts such as Africa. A number of factors precipitated the expansion of the Spanish to the New World. One factor that explains how the Spanish spread to the new world was the lack of resistance to disease by the Americans. The fighting techniques and the advanced technology used by the Spanish also explain why they spread to the new world. The Spanish had superior weapons such as swords and firearms. They also established empires in the New World because of the pattern they used in conquering their colonies. For example, they used forced conversion and forced labor (Berkin, 2010). The Spanish established empires in the New World because they wanted to carry out trade and find markets for their finished goods. They also wanted to acquire resources such as gold and silver. In addition, they wanted to conquer the vast land in the New World and use it for farming (Berkin, 2010). The founding of Port Royal in North America’s colony of Acadia can be regarded as a stepping stone to France’s establishment of empires in the New World. The French succeeded in controlling the North American continent by forming alliances with Native tribes in America. In 1699, the expansion of French colonies in North America, in places such as Louisiana in Mississippi River basin, also contributed to the establishment of French empires. The expansion of the French Empire in North America contributed to the establishment of French colonies in places such as South America, and parts of Africa later. In Africa, the French Empire expanded to places such as Algeria. The extensive network of trade in North America, and in Africa later on, explains the reasons why the French decided to establish empires in the New World. The voyages of the fishermen were can also be cited as factors that led to the establishment of the empires (Berkin, 2010). Plymouth can be regarded as crucial in the history of America. This emanates from the fact that most of the citizens in this colony saw it right to worship God. Therefore, they fled to avoid religious persecution instead of becoming entrepreneurs. Plymouth is also considered pivotal in the history of America as the religious beliefs of the people living in the colony related to the legal and social systems. In addition, some of the events that happened in the colony later became part of mythology in the United States. For example, the Plymouth Rock monument can be regarded as one of the crucial elements of American heritage (Dell, 2004). References Berkin, C. (2010). Making America: A History of the United States. Boston, MA: WADSWORTH CENGAGE Learning. Dell, P. (2004). The Plymouth Colony. Mankato, Minn: Capstone Press. Gibbon, E., Lentin, A., & Norman, B. (1998). The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire: 28 selected chapters Edited and annotated, with an introduction by Anthony Lentin and Brian Norman. Hertfordshire: Wordsworth Editions Ltd. Read More