Roman and Chinese Decline

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Roman and Chinese Decline The Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E. - 220 C.E.) and the Roman Empire (27 B.C.E. - 476 C.E.) fell for many similar reasons. Both imposed high tax burdens on impoverished populations and each suffered from political corruption. However, in the case of Rome, the physical size and cultural complexity of the empire became unmanageable, which caused a social and political split not present in the decline of the Han Dynasty. Political unrest began to stir in Han China around 100 C.E. The power of the central government weakened, which spawned a wave of corruption. Local landlords gained power as government supervision declined. This power was used to financially exploit the peasant class via crushing tax burdens. The Yellow Turbans, a Daoist revolutionary movement, attempted to seize back the politically corrupt government; however, as with all other attempts, it failed. To make matters worse, epidemics emerged which eradicated roughly half the population. The Huns invaded and conquered a weak and politically unstable Han Dynasty, thereby ending a regime that lasted over 400 years. Similarly in Rome, high taxes were imposed to support lavish lifestyles and a corrupt government. As the empire expanded, the population decreased from plague and poverty. In addition, the gap between the few rich and the many poor continued to widen. When the Germanic armies invaded, Rome could not withstand the attack. Rome began as a republic which existed prior to the Han Dynasty. For several hundred years, Rome was expanding and acquiring wealth. Even after the republic collapsed, the Roman borders continued to expand. Power was centralized in the emperor, and the armies were allied to him. When Rome split into east and west, the armies divided into each territory, resulting in a weakened military position. People looked to local landlords for protection and stability,

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