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Causation: Autopsy of an Empire

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Did you know? You can access an editable version of this activity: Google Docs or Word Doc
WORLD HISTORY PROJECTORIGINS/ LESSON 5.2ACTIVITYCAUSATION: AUTOPSY OF AN EMPIREUnless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Causation: Autopsy of an Empire,” OER Project, https://www.oerproject.com/1PurposeCausation can be a complicated historical thinking practice to master, especially when the event or process being studied has a number of possible causes (and effects), like the collapse of an empire. Identifying and categorizing the causes that led to the collapse of empires will help you become better at evaluating why historians sometimes come to different conclusions about their collapse.Process1.Choose one of the following empires.Circle one:•Han Dynasty China•Roman Empire2.Use the articles for the empire you chose to complete the table below.•For Han Dynasty China: “Han Dynasty China”and “The Fall of the Han Dynasty”•For the Roman Empire: “The Roman Empire”and “The Fall of Rome”Name of EmpireImportant rulers (historical figures)Structure and administration of government and military capabilities
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT ORIGINS / LESSON 5.2ACTIVITYCAUSATION: AUTOPSY OF AN EMPIRE2Belief systemsSocial hierarchy including the role of womenNetworks of exchange and tradeCultural achievements such as art, architecture, science, and technologyReasons for collapse
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT ORIGINS / LESSON 5.2ACTIVITYCAUSATION: AUTOPSY OF AN EMPIRE33.Choose a figure that represents your empire—a ruler or other important figure. You can use this worksheet to label your figure, or if you’re working on a larger piece of paper, you can draw your own figure.4.Use your notes from the table above and label your figure using the key. Key•head of your figure = important rulers (historical figures)•spine = government, administration, or military•heart = the empire’s belief systems•arms = the social structure or hierarchy, including the role of women•hands = the empire’s cultural achievements•legs = networks or systems of exchange and trade
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT ORIGINS / LESSON 5.2ACTIVITYCAUSATION: AUTOPSY OF AN EMPIRE45.Now,you’ll complete the Causation Tool on the next page.You’ll becategorizing by time, type, and role. This may be the first time you’ve categorized by role,so review these role descriptions: •Necessary—These causes were required. The historical event or process would not have occurred without these causes.•Relevant—These causes are important but not required. The historical event or process would still happen without these causes.•Triggering event—This is the most immediate cause of the historical event or process.This categorization process can be difficultas there isn’t necessarily one correct answer. Keep in mind that historians don’t always agree about these topics either, which is why there are often different perspectives or histories written about the same historical event or process.
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT ORIGINS / LESSON 5.2ACTIVITYCAUSATION: AUTOPSY OF AN EMPIRE5Causation ToolAdd the event you are analyzing and corresponding information. Then, if your teacher asks you to create a causal map, use your answers here to help construct that causal representation.EventDatesLoca-onBrief descrip-onList your causes and use the legend to help you label type and role.Causes: Long-termIntermediate-termShort-termList the effects of the event and use the legend to help you label type and role.EffectsLegendTypeRole(P) Poli-cal (I) Innova-on ($) Economic (C) Cultural (E) Environmental (S) Social() Triggering event—the most immediate cause of an eventNecessary Relevant
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT ORIGINS / LESSON 5.2ACTIVITYCAUSATION: AUTOPSY OF AN EMPIRE66.Use the space below to write the autopsy for your empire.What body part (or parts) became “sick” and caused its collapse? In other words, what was the cause of death? A death certificate or an autopsy would list all the possible causes of death along with the main, or most significant, cause. In addition, consider this: Were all of the causes a result of internal problems (the body parts of their empire)?Or were there external causes as well (outside the body—maybe another empire or nomadic tribes invading)?Autopsy report