2.2 Global Economic Systems The Emergence of Civilization | 3000-2000 BCE

Similarities and Differences Humans shifted from pastoral societies to semi-pastoral or agricultural societies This shift depended entirely upon geography, giving rise to diverse new economies and societies

East Asia The earliest agricultural societies in East Asia grew in the Yellow River Valley Valleys are low elevation and subject to flooding Floods come from spring rain and winter melting running downhill Yellow River full of loess, a fine yellow dust China’s deserts, plateaus, and western mountain ranges Efforts to control the flooding: death and destruction Reliance upon river for irrigation and transportation Rice grew naturally and became the staple of East Asia

South and Southeast Asia The earliest agricultural settlements in South Asia grew in the Indus River Valley Valley formed by Hindu Kush, Karakorum, and Himalaya Ranges Monsoons brought abundant rain These combined to create huge agricultural surpluses When the monsoons shifted eastward, the surpluses shrank Trade with Mesopotamia brought wheat, which became the staple crop in South Asia South Asia exported its lumber to Mesopotamia Southeast Asia inhabited later from two directions Primarily traditional economies (aboriginal later absorbed)

The Middle (Near) East The earliest agricultural societies in the Near East developed in Mesopotamia The Tigris and Euphrates River Valleys The Taurus Mountain Range Irregular and violent flooding Impacted view of gods and rulers: angry gods and absolute rulers Earliest agricultural settlements for humans Wheat/barely as staple

Africa Climate change dried up the once-green Sahara region Humans migrated to more suitable environments The Nile River Valley Upper and Lower Egypt as well as Nubia The Ethiopian Highlands and the various Nile Rivers Wheat/barely as the staple crop Predictable flooding affected society in a positive way: order; stability

Europe Remained largely primitive in comparison with Eastern cultures Local, tribal economies Minoan Civilization on Crete a unique exception Trade-based and under Egyptian influence Celtic societies in Europe were localized agrarian communities Stonehenge constructed c. 3000 BCE No major river valleys to capitalize on

The Americas The earliest agricultural societies in the Americas developed in Mesoamerica The Yucatan Peninsula’s access to water Large, underground water reservoirs Cultivation of maize (corn) as staple crop Various agricultural settlements established throughout region Limited domestication of animals = limited disease transmission (turkey; dog) Cleaner and healthier than “Old World” inhabitants

Recommended Resources Independent research Be sure to cite with Chicago Manual of Style with footnotes.1 Suggested reading Human Legacy.2 Make sure the title of the text is in italics (see below). These notes When pulling information directly from me, cite me as a source, the slide title, and the title of the presentation in italics.3 1 Use this website to easily cite your source http://www.bibme.org/. 2 Human Legacy, pages 1-10. 3 Mr. Geier, Political Systems, 2.1 East Asia.