Section 1 – Early Agriculture Chapter 2 Section 1 – Early Agriculture

Key Terms Revolution – a complete change in ways of thinking, living, or working Domesticate – Change the growth of plants or behavior of animals in ways that are useful to humans Surplus - extra Specialization – act of concentrating on a limited number of goods or activities

The Birth of Farming People adapted to the changing climate by learning to farm

Modifying the Environment People learned that if they scattered seeds, plants would grow

Domesticating Plants and Animals Widespread domestication marked the birth of farming Domesticated plants became a reliable source of food

Spread of Farming No one knows for sure where farming originated

First Centers of Agriculture Most historians believe Southwestern Asia was the first center of agriculture

Cost and Benefits to Farming Transition from hunting and gathering to farming was a slow process Planting crops and herding animals took time and energy If crops fail due to weather, a family might starve

Continued… Farming produced more food Required less land People built permanent homes because of farming

New kinds of Shelter Used a mixture of mud and straw to form walls

NEW KINDS OF CLOTHING Hunter-Gatherer societies depended on animal fur, farming brought new materials that were lighter and easier to work with. Example: Flax Cotton Wool Silk

Surpluses and specialization As crops and herds improved, farmers could raise a surplus When there is a surplus, everyone doesn’t need to farm Those people become specialized workers Example: Tool makers Weavers metalworkers

Social Organization Early farmers had to work together They discuss what to plant, and when to harvest They discuss how to protect the community

Chapter 2 Section 2 Cities and Civilizations Page 90

City of Uruk Considered the worlds first city Founded around 6,000-7,000 years ago Uruk had one of the first complex governments

Centers of wealth Uruk also had a complex economy Uruk’s economy was based on faming, and trade The wealth of the city attracted people to the city

The importance of resources Early civilizations depended on creating a food surplus The most important resources were fertile soil, water, and seeds However, these were not important if there was not people there to manage the resources

Settings of Early Civilizations Earliest civilizations appear in southwestern Asia River valleys provide a good setting for permanent settlements

Features of Civilizations Cities Organized governments Established religions Job specialization Social classes Public works Arts and Architecture System of writing

Cities Early cities emerged near farming centers Food surplus led to population growth Cities were centers of religion, government, and culture

Organized Government Government managed cities resources Formed and trained armies

Established Religion Religion was linked to government Rulers usually claimed their right to rule from their gods

Job Specialization Most people were farmers Priest specialized in religious practice Rulers and soldiers specialized in keeping peace and protecting the city Merchants specialized in buying and selling goods

Social Classes Class structure resembles a pyramid Small number of people with the most power at the top Largest number of people with the least power at the bottom

Social Classes Highest class Priest and rulers Middle Class Farmers, Merchants, and Skilled workers Lowest Class Slaves

Public Works Government Projects Road work Water system City walls Granaries

System of Writing Early writing system was used to record numbers Eventually they recorded laws, prayers, and described their rulers