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Knowledge is one of the most important factors in maintaining a peaceful and free society. Knowledge allows a society to plan for the future, while learning from past mistakes. Many great nations have fallen into war and chaos because they did not utilize the wisdom gained from the past. Many societies? problems were preventable, if people had used the lessons at their disposal and placed emphasis on solving their problems through the use of their intellects, rather than their weapons. A great example of this is the Roman Empire, which allowed many of its problems to grow and fester, before attempting to check them.
The Roman Empire was a powerful, seemingly invincible, civilization. Rome thrived in glory for many years, a model civilization admired by all, until it started to fall apart. Many historians argue the factual reasons for Rome? s downfall. Some say it was crime; others say crooked government was the cause. Still others say it was the focus on entertainment and luxuries.
All of these problems could have been avoided and peace would have been maintained. Yet, the Romans did not believe that their empire could fall and chose to ignore their problems, believing they would go away on their own. Obviously, that did not happen and, as a result, the Roman Empire fell. In America today we have all of these problems.
Are we going to be next to fall? Or, have we gained knowledge and wisdom enough by studying the errors of other nations? past history to maintain peace in our own time? In Rome, crime made it unsafe to travel, to sell goods, or to go to the market. The Romans ran the risk of being robbed, traveling from place to place. Today, in America, we run the risk of being mugged just going to the store.
In some cities its not safe to go out at night. Stores are always being robbed, vandalized, or destroyed. There is even a murder committed approximately every twenty seconds. Crime is just as much, if not more, of a problem now in America then back during the fall of Rome. We have the knowledge of Rome? s past failures, yet we continue on the same path.
If the United States of America does not use Rome? s failure as a guide of what to avoid, the results could be disastrous. Toward the end of Rome, the government was, for the most part, in chaos. Every time the current Emperor died, there was a civil war to decide who would be the next ruler of Rome. The politicians no longer cared about Rome. They became self-centered, and used all their power to better their own lives.
Luckily, things in America are not yet that bad. However, its not a shining example of how things should be either. There are always stories in the newspapers about politicians taking bribes, or participating in other unethical deeds. Whitewater, Watergate, the Monica Lewinsky affair, the endless political back-stabbings are all blatant examples of this corruption. The Roman Coliseum played a large part in another of the more accepted theories as to the downfall of Rome. The Romans spent more time at the Coliseum than they did working.
This led to poor trade and an economic downfall. People were simply more interested in seeing a chariot race or gladiator combat than going to work and being paid. In America, our society is greatly influenced by entertainment. We all love TV and sports, but, luckily, our lives are not ruled by them. But who is to say they won? t be?
It? s unlikely, yes, but not impossible. Lots of people try to work entertainment into their schedules. It could very well become more popular to just go to a football game than to work. These were not the only reasons for the downfall of the Roman Empire. There were many others, but these were certainly some of the more important reasons; reasons and circumstances that we also have now.
Our crime may not be as bad, our politicians not as corrupt, and our desire for entertainment not as overpowering, but we have them nonetheless. Hopefully, though, our problems will not progress to the point that they destroy our civilization as the Roman? s problems did theirs. Hopefully, our great emphasis on education for all citizens will allow us to work through our nations problems and remain a strong and peaceful nation.
We must stay on our guard. Many still believe it won? t happen to us. Just because it happened to another nation, under similar circumstances, does not mean the United States will suffer the same fate. It has already been shown, however, that it can, and probably did, happen to some extent during the Vietnam War. The situations that we faced in Vietnam were very similar to those England faced in the War for Independence.
The foreign terrain proved a problem in both wars, giving the defenders a distinct advantage because they were much more comfortable in their surroundings. The guerilla warfare tactics also frustrated and hurt the more powerful attackers. In both wars it was unclear who was on what side. This caused great chaos amongst the British in the Revolutionary War and the Americans during the Vietnam War.
Most importantly, the results of both wars were the same, the stronger and seemingly invincible power was not defeated, but they were repelled and forced out. This was a clear example of what can happen when a nation does not use the knowledge of the past to plan for its future. History has a way of repeating itself. The easiest way to prevent repeating the great mistakes and disasters of the past is to use the knowledge of the past.
A society must be able to learn from their own mistakes and those of others. It must also be able to use that knowledge to prevent blunders from happening again. If the society is able to do this, it will be able to maintain the peace and freedom that guides it. Knowledge is our strongest weapon against decay and our greatest tool for peace.
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Research essay sample on Roman Empire Rome
