Revisit your initial reflection on the fall of the Byzantine Empire. Consider the following as you answer the 3 questions below:

Question

Did you change your mind from your initial reflection?
Did you find further evidence to support your thesis?
What made you make up your mind?

1. To conclude, I think the most important cause of the decline of the Byzantine Empire was…
Insert Response Here

2. My reflection did/did not change because…
Insert Response Here

3. I feel the causes of the decline of the Byzantine Empire are/are not connected because…
Insert Response Here

Answer 1

1. To conclude, I think the most important cause of the decline of the Byzantine Empire was a combination of internal strife, economic instability, and external pressures from rising powers such as the Ottoman Turks. The culmination of these factors, particularly the inability to effectively manage territorial conquests and defend against invasions, ultimately led to the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

2. My reflection did change because I initially focused more on the external pressures faced by the Byzantine Empire, such as the military campaigns from the Ottomans and the Crusaders. However, upon further examination of the Empire's internal issues—such as political corruption, social unrest, and economic challenges—I realized that these internal factors significantly weakened the Empire's ability to respond effectively to external threats.

3. I feel the causes of the decline of the Byzantine Empire are interconnected because internal strife often exacerbated the Empire's vulnerability to external forces. For example, political infighting and economic decline hindered military recruitment and resource allocation, making it difficult to defend against or respond to invasions. Each cause fed into the next, creating a cycle of decline that was too formidable for the Empire to break.