Throughout history, mighty civilizations have risen and fallen. 

Their collapse wasn't sudden, but a gradual process driven by internal decay. 

As historian Will Durant noted:

A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself within. The essential causes of Rome’s decline lay in her people, her morals, her class struggle, her failing trade, her bureaucratic despotism, her stifling taxes, her consuming wars.

Like a train slowly veering off its tracks, once a civilization begins its descent, it becomes increasingly difficult to reverse course.

What lessons can we learn from these historical collapses? How might we recognize the warning signs in our own society? 

Keep reading to find out.

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#1 Economic Decline

Economic instability weakens societies and sets the ball rolling toward economic and, eventually, societal collapse.

The economic collapse of the Roman Empire was due to overspending, inflation, and reliance on slave labor.

Similarly, the Ming Dynasty faced severe economic decline due to excessive taxation, inflation caused by the influx of silver, and corruption. 

These issues weakened the state’s ability to defend itself and maintain stability, leading to its collapse and the rise of the Qing Dynasty.

[Read More: Potential Causes for Economic Collapse and How to Prepare]

#2 Political Corruption and Instability

It is hard for a civilization to survive years upon years of political instability.

Just take a look at the fall of the Roman Empire, which was marked by political corruption, power struggles, and the eventual rise of dictatorial rule.

Corruption in the final days of the Babylonian Empire, including infighting in the late Ottoman period, led to total societal collapse.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was plagued by political instability, largely due to its complex structure of dual monarchy and the competing interests of its various ethnic groups. 

The empire's political system struggled to accommodate the demands of different nationalities, leading to constant political deadlock and inefficiency.

When citizens lose trust in their governments due to corruption, it is hard to respect, let alone “obey” their laws. 

Hence, a vicious cycle of upheaval is born. 

#3 Social Inequality and Class Conflict

Another sign of a collapsing society is social inequality and class conflicts, such as the troubles that resulted from the increasing wealth gap and class struggles in pre-revolutionary France and Russia.

Likewise, social stratification in Babylon and the rigid caste system in ancient India led to social unrest.

The anger and social unrest led to revolutions and the overturning of governments. 

Note: Emergency food and survival gear will be helpful if you find yourself in the middle of a homegrown revolution or riot. 

#4 Loss of Civic Pride and Public Morality

Edward Gibbon, who wrote History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, claims that the loss of civic pride brought on by the rise of the Christian religion was one cause of the empire's fall.

The rise of the Christian religion influenced the Roman psyche, which coincided with the new revelations of moral decay. 

As Roman citizens embraced Christianity, they became more aware of immoral behaviors.

Similarly, the moral and cultural decline in the final years of the Byzantine Empire undermined societal cohesion.

Without shared pride and a shared notion of civic and moral responsibility, societies turn on each other from within.

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#5 External Threats and Military Overreach

Due to external threats, military forces overreach. And this has backfired in societies throughout history.

Consider these examples:

• The overextension of the Roman Empire left it vulnerable to barbarian invasions.
• Napoleon’s aggressive expansionism overstretched French military resources, leading to costly wars on multiple fronts. 
• The disastrous invasion of Russia and subsequent military defeats ultimately led to France’s downfall.
  

Whenever external pressures threaten societies, they put their military to work. 

However, if they are not wise in how they use their military forces, they may inadvertently put themselves in greater danger. 

NOTE: We respect and support our hardworking military forces and hate to see them overextended. This is one of the reasons we offer a military discount. 

#6 Environmental Degradation and Resource Depletion

Environmental neglect has led to resource scarcity, eventually leading to societal collapse.

For example, historians believe deforestation and soil depletion contributed to the fall of the Sumerian civilization.

Similarly, overfarming and desertification in ancient Mesopotamia led to societal stress.

NOTE: Protect your family from empty grocery store shelves by keeping a food pantry stocked with long-term emergency food. Invest in a water filtration system for when water resources are depleted. 

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#7 Decline in Intellectual and Cultural Life

A decline in intellectual pursuits and cultural innovation also tends to signal the fall of an empire.

This is noticeable when we look at the decline of intellectual and cultural life during the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the stagnation of scientific and cultural development in the late Islamic Golden Age.

#8 Centralization of Power and Loss of Local Autonomy

The centralization of power under the Roman emperors led to the decline of local governance. 

National Geographic explains:

The Roman Empire dramatically shifted power away from representative democracy to centralized imperial authority, with the emperor holding the most power. For example, under Augustus’s reign, emperors gained the ability to introduce and veto laws, as well as command the army. […] As a result of this redistribution of power, the popular assemblies that functioned during the republican period became less important and lost power.

Likewise, the centralization of the Ottoman Empire under weak sultans proved ineffective.

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#9 Demographic Decline and Population Pressure

When the population and demographics change drastically, it can signify bad things to come.

For example, the population decline in late Rome due to plagues, declining birth rates, and constant warfare exacerbated the empire’s collapse.

There is also evidence that the population decline of the Mayan civilization was one cause of its collapse. 

#10 Loss of Faith in Institutions and Ideologies

One final sign that you’re living in a collapsing society is the erosion of belief in societal institutions and ideologies.

When citizens lose faith in government and religious institutions, chaos and disintegration follow.

As mentioned, the loss of faith in the Roman government and traditional Roman religion contributed to the empire’s fall.

Similarly, by the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, the Spanish Empire had lost much of its former power and influence. 

Corruption, military defeats, and economic difficulties led to a loss of faith in the monarchy and the church, both of which had been pillars of Spanish society. 

This disillusionment contributed to the empire’s decline and eventual fragmentation.

Take this information and draw your own conclusions, friends.

 

In liberty,

Elizabeth Anderson

Preparedness Advisor, My Patriot Supply