Decline+Economic

Classical Decline: Economy - by Lowell

1. China (Han Dynasty; Falls 220CE): -Higher taxes which led to poverty -Peasants enserfed -Trade declines due to internal fighting and nomadic invasions

2. India (Gupta Dynasty; Falls 540CE): -Arab traders control Indian Ocean trade -India’s economic activity still remained strong (Sterns 221) -But during times of war, trade was not nearly as strong

3. Roman Empire (West; Falls 476CE): -Plagues destroyed trade -Higher taxes -Trade declined due to instability -However there was a demand for more luxury items

4. Roman Empire (East/Byzantine; Falls 1453): -Labor shortages along with general population decline - No slavery -Overuse of farmland, soil had no nutrients so crops couldn’t grow - As a result there is a massive food shortage and trade heavily declines