AP World History… Period 1 (to 600 BCE)

Technological and Environmental Transformations (8000 to 600 B.C.E) This era shapes all events and trends that followed. Period is divided into two parts: Development of Agriculture and Early Agricultural Communities (8000 to 3500 B.C.E.) Earliest Civilizations (3500 to 600 B.C.E.) Historians disagree about the dates: Why? limited knowledge of the eras Archaeologists discover new evidence that changes previous conceptions

Technological and Environmental Transformations (8000 to 600 B.C.E) “Watershed Events” (events that changed history) difficult to set a date due to lack of interaction between humans The first event? Invention of agriculture; did NOT occur at one time and only in one place Developed independently by many diverse groups

Technological and Environmental Transformations (8000 to 600 B.C.E) Geography has both promoted and limited humans’ activities. People devised maps that represented geography and cultural transformations. People began to alter their environments when farming communities began. This was followed by cities and industry. Demographic changes have occurred throughout world history. Now…let’s look at these topics one at a time…

Let’s take a look at maps and map projections… Geography! Let’s take a look at maps and map projections… Think about it: to what extent do maps have a cultural point of view (POV)? I mean---is the world we see simply the world we are TOLD to see?

Are maps created without bias? Definition: Bias A partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue

Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. Reflect on this quote…what do you think Einstein means? How would this relate to cartography (map making)? Albert Einstein

To what extent does the cartographer’s A cartographer sees the world through the lens of his/her own consciousness… To what extent does the cartographer’s perspective (point of view) influence the design of the map?

Wait until you examine the POV in these map projections!!! The Peters Map and the Mercator Map Which is bigger, Greenland or China? With the traditional Mercator map (c. 1569, and still in use in many classrooms and boardrooms today), Greenland and China look the same size. But in reality China is almost 4 times larger! In response to such discrepancies, Dr. Arno Peters created a new world map that dramatically improves the accuracy of how we see the Earth.

Peters Map Projection

Mercator Map Projection Notice the differences in the sizes of the continents!

Medieval European T-O Map This mappae mundi was popular in Medieval Europe. This T-O image comes from the encyclopedia of knowledge produced by Isidore, Bishop of Seville, in 630 C.E.and was printed in Augsburg in 1472.

The Indian Ocean appears as a lake and the cities of the A 1482 C.E. world map based on Ptolemy’s Geography (150 C.E.) The Indian Ocean appears as a lake and the cities of the Middle East are at the center of the map.

A portolan map was used by sailors. The first known portolan map was made around 1270. Think about it…what does this type of map tell you about what was important at the time? What was valued? Who valued it? A portolan map was focused on the seas, ports, coves, and sailing distances. It was primarily used for sea navigation. Therefore, it did not focus on interior features.

In the case of a portolan map, the needs of the sailor were paramount in determining what was placed and emphasized on the map.

Arthur H. Robinson created the Robinson Projection Map (1963) Arthur H. Robinson created the Robinson Projection Map (1963). It is also called the Orthophanic projection, which means “right appearing.” This projection is not equal-area, or equidistant; however, it is considered to “look right” for world maps, and is widely used by Rand McNally, the National Geographic Society, and others.

A Robinson Projection Map

And there are all of these different “containers” we use to make sense of the world. But always, we must remember that these “containers” are mental constructs and as such, imperfect and subject to bias. Think about this: while many individuals consider Europe and Asia to be separate continents, are they really?

What about how we divide the world into regions for study? Let’s look at how the world is divided according to our curriculum: You may need to increase the size of these maps in order to see details.

Now let’s do a map activity and examine these divisions more closely… Directions: Complete the handout enclosed in this packet. It is entitled “Must Know” Geography Regions. Identify a country in each region. This link will prove very helpful: http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-map-image.html

Geography! The AP curriculum also refers to “big geography.” The term draws attention to the global nature of world history. Throughout the Paleolithic (“Old Stone”) period, humans migrated from Africa to Eurasia, Australia, and the Americas.

Paleolithic Age 2 million to 8,000 BCE

What were the basic characteristics of early human societies? Focus Question What were the basic characteristics of early human societies?

Developments of Paleolithic Age 12,000 BCE–humans evolved physically and mentally to the level of today Opposable thumbs and a more developed brain Paleolithic Achievements Invention of tools and weapons Language Control of fire Art (sculpture, jewelry, and cave paintings) Humans lived in small bands of hunter-gatherers.

Hunter-Gatherer Societies Men hunt and/or fish; women gather fruits, etc. Lived in kinship groups (20-30 people) Follow migratory patterns of animals Need large portions of land to support themselves Life expectancy was 30 years or less Lascaux Cave, France

Just to make you smile... 