Rome Notes

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Rome Notes
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Where was Rome?

• In Italy.

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The Roman Republic

• Rome at first had a government called a republic.
• Whats a republic?
• A type of government where the people elect a
  representative to make decisions for them.
• This is what our government is today.
• They also had checks and balances like us.
• Thats when different branches can stop the
  others from doing something.

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Structure of Roman Government Structure of Roman Government Structure of Roman Government
Two Consuls --Heads of government. --Acted as judges and military leaders. --Could not act unless both agreed. --Appointed the Senators. Senate --Advisors to consuls. --Approved laws passed by Assembly. --Controlled money. --Made foreign policy. --Held office for life. Assembly --Voted on laws. --Declared war and made treaties. --Appointed government officials. --Elected the two consuls.
Structure of United States Government Structure of United States Government Structure of United States Government
Congress --Creates the laws. --Oversees the President. --Controls money. Supreme Court --Determines if laws follow the Constitution. --Can tell Congress and President to follow the Constitution. --Serve for life.
President --Head of national government. --Enforce
s the laws. --Can veto laws passed by
Congress. --Leader of Military.
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What caused the Republic to fall?

• Political rivalry
• Many men competed for power for themselves, not
  for Rome.
• Class divisions
• The rich got richer, the poor got poorer.
• Civil war
• Politics started to be conducted using violence.

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Who was Julius Caesar?

• A very successful general who took over Gaul
  (France) for Rome.
• Led his army home and was declared dictator for
  life.
• Some Senators dont like it, and kill him.

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The Empire

• The first Emperor of the Roman Empire was
  Caesars grandnephew.
• He took the name Caesar Augustus.
• Caesars name becomes the title of the Emperor.
• For about 200 years, Rome controls most of
  Europe.
• This is called the Pax Romana.

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Why did the Empire fall?

• Corruption
• Foreign invasion
• Political violence
• Rome finally falls in AD 476.

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What effect did the fall of Rome have on Europe?

• What happens when there is no government?
• No government leads to feudalism.
• This is what dominates the Middle Ages.
• More on this next time.