What is the impact of the collapse on western europe and the mediterranean world?

Upon the fall of Rome, Europe ceased being influenced by the cultures of the Mediterranean coast and was more influenced by Germanic tribal confederations that had already taken over vast swathes of Roman territory, although the influence of Rome on the former Empire was very strong in legal, cultural, religious (Christianity) influence and much of the Roman-built infrastructure in the form of roads, bridges and waterworks continued to be functional and some in use until the beginning of the 20th Century.

The american civil war