What was the primary cause of the fall of the Western Roman Empire?

The primary cause of the fall of the Western Roman Empire can be attributed to a combination of internal weaknesses and external pressures. Internally, the empire faced significant challenges, including political instability, economic troubles, and social fragmentation. Corruption, ineffective leadership, and civil wars weakened the central authority and made it difficult to manage the vast territories. Externally, the empire encountered increasing pressure from invading groups, such as the Visigoths, Vandals, and Huns, who exploited the weaknesses within the empire. This combination of factors created a situation where the empire could no longer sustain itself, leading to its eventual collapse in 476 CE.

While the rise of Christianity had a profound impact on the empire's societal structure and values, it was not the sole or primary cause of its decline. Similarly, military expansion did strain resources, but it was the interplay of internal dysfunction and external threats that ultimately precipitated the fall. Economic conditions, while certainly influential, were part of a broader set of internal weaknesses rather than a singular cause of social decline. Thus, the multifaceted nature of internal and external challenges accurately captures the complexity of the Western Roman Empire's fall.