Use the quote to answer the question.
“A great empire, like a great cake, is most easily diminished at the edges.”
—Benjamin Franklin, “Rules by Which a Great Empire May be Reduced to a Small One,” September 11, 1773
Which of these statements best analyzes how events that led to the fall of the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty supported Franklin’s statement?(1 point)
Responses
Both collapsed as a result of power struggles within each imperial court.
Both collapsed as a result of power struggles within each imperial court.
Both were fragmented into smaller sections by their imperial rulers.
Both were fragmented into smaller sections by their imperial rulers.
Both were ruled by ineffective emperors who relied on corrupt advisors.
Both were ruled by ineffective emperors who relied on corrupt advisors.
Both were invaded by nomadic groups who first attacked regions farthest away from the seats of government.
Both were invaded by nomadic groups who first attacked regions farthest away from the seats of government.
The quote by Benjamin Franklin states that "A great empire, like a great cake, is most easily diminished at the edges." This means that empires are most vulnerable and likely to fall when they are weakened at their outer edges or peripheries.
To analyze how events that led to the fall of the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty supported Franklin's statement, we can look at the given statements:
1. Both collapsed as a result of power struggles within each imperial court.
2. Both were fragmented into smaller sections by their imperial rulers.
3. Both were ruled by ineffective emperors who relied on corrupt advisors.
4. Both were invaded by nomadic groups who first attacked regions farthest away from the seats of government.
Out of these statements, the one that best supports Franklin's statement is:
- Both were invaded by nomadic groups who first attacked regions farthest away from the seats of government.
This statement aligns with the concept of diminishing an empire at its edges. When nomadic groups invaded these empires, they often targeted and attacked the regions farthest away from the main centers of government. By attacking these peripheral regions, the invaders weakened the empire's outer edges and made it easier to further penetrate and diminish the empire as a whole.
Therefore, option 4 is the best analysis that supports Franklin's statement.
The statement that best analyzes how events that led to the fall of the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty supported Franklin's statement is:
Both were invaded by nomadic groups who first attacked regions farthest away from the seats of government.