Final answer:
The correct answer is option a) The Roman Empire collapsed due to internal strife, while China's collapse was external.
Step-by-step explanation:
The collapse of empires in the Roman world and in China occurred through different sets of circumstances and had distinct outcomes. While both the Roman and Han empires displayed signs of internal weakening, their demise was due to a combination of internal issues and external pressures. The Roman Empire experienced severe internal strife and external invasions from Germanic tribes, which led to a fragmentation into multiple smaller states by the end of the fifth century. In contrast, China's collapse under the Han dynasty was marked by internal rebellion and external threats, but it later managed to reunify under successive dynasties such as the Sui and Tang.
The Roman Empire's western half fell to Germanic invasions, with 476 CE marking the conventional date of its collapse when the last Roman emperor was deposed. However, it's important to note that the Eastern Roman Empire, or the Byzantine Empire, continued to exist until 1453. China, facing invasions and political fragmentation post-Han dynasty, underwent periods of disunity followed by reunification, with subsequent dynasties restoring centralized rule and continuing advancements in public works, production, and technology.