Development of Early Civilizations (aka “cradles”) Mesopotamia, Nile, Yellow, and Indus (& Olmec)

What are characteristics of a civilization? A form of written language A form of written language Social stability with their organization Social stability with their organization Access to resources – natural/ manmade Access to resources – natural/ manmade Usually has a form of religion Usually has a form of religion Arts and innovation- intellectual stimulate Arts and innovation- intellectual stimulate

Civilization Characteristics (cont’d) Distinction between classes and genders Distinction between classes and genders Distinction between “civilized” and “uncivilized” Distinction between “civilized” and “uncivilized” Greater impact on the environment Greater impact on the environment Legal systems Legal systems

When did they come about? Many characteristics of civilizations by 6,000 or 5,000 BCE Many characteristics of civilizations by 6,000 or 5,000 BCE Origins of civilization around 3,500 BCE until about 1,000 BCE Origins of civilization around 3,500 BCE until about 1,000 BCE

Where did they occur? In river valleys In river valleys Mesopotamia, Nile, Indus, Yellow, (& Olmec) Mesopotamia, Nile, Indus, Yellow, (& Olmec) Covered only a tiny portion Covered only a tiny portion

Was development of civilization a good thing? Not always Not always Many non-civilized societies have more regulations Many non-civilized societies have more regulations Nomadic peoples contributed greatly to world history Nomadic peoples contributed greatly to world history

What does civilization mean and is it dependent on anything? Derived from civitas meaning city Derived from civitas meaning city Most civilizations depend on the existence of significant cities….why? Most civilizations depend on the existence of significant cities….why?

Why settle in the river valley? Lacks adequate rainfall, natural resources, constant threat of droughts Lacks adequate rainfall, natural resources, constant threat of droughts Fertile soil Fertile soil Tremendous results with irrigation Tremendous results with irrigation

Why were they able to come about? Built on changes in technology Built on changes in technology Agriculture Agriculture New civilizations continued to be founded in northern Europe, as late as 1500 BCE New civilizations continued to be founded in northern Europe, as late as 1500 BCE

Use of metals First metal used- gold First metal used- gold Next, copper Next, copper Humans learn to alloy copper with different metals Humans learn to alloy copper with different metals Next major step is iron Next major step is iron

What is so important about irrigation? Makes civilization work Makes civilization work Increase in food = increase in population Increase in food = increase in population

Were all agricultural societies stationary? No- some used idea of slash and burn agriculture No- some used idea of slash and burn agriculture Herding peoples moved in tribal bands Herding peoples moved in tribal bands

Was new land always available nearby? Were there advantages to staying put? No, so most agricultural people didn’t move No, so most agricultural people didn’t move Yes, some advantages Yes, some advantages Irrigation key incentive to stability Irrigation key incentive to stability

What are some commonalities among early civilizations? Cities Cities Writing Writing Formal states Formal states Trade Trade Mutual relationships Mutual relationships

Development of Writing Starts with oral tradition Starts with oral tradition Almost all major alphabets in world derived from the writing forms pioneered in the river valleys Almost all major alphabets in world derived from the writing forms pioneered in the river valleys

Cuneiform

Hieroglyphics

Writing cont’d Most civilizations developed writing Most civilizations developed writing First form- cuneiform (writing based on wedge-like characters) in the Middle East ~3500 BCE First form- cuneiform (writing based on wedge-like characters) in the Middle East ~3500 BCE Another form of writing was Hieroglyphics Another form of writing was Hieroglyphics Societies that used writing could organize more elaborate political structures Societies that used writing could organize more elaborate political structures

Writing cont’d Could tax more efficiently and make contracts and treaties Could tax more efficiently and make contracts and treaties Generate a more explicit intellectual climate Generate a more explicit intellectual climate

Firmer Class or Caste Divisions Promotes greater separation Promotes greater separation Greater inequality between men and women Greater inequality between men and women More fully patriarchal structures emergedMore fully patriarchal structures emerged

Did development of civilizations continue the process of technological change and political organization? Yes Yes Civilizations generated the largest populations Civilizations generated the largest populations Most elaborate artistic and intellectual forms Most elaborate artistic and intellectual forms Civilization increased human impact on the environment Civilization increased human impact on the environment

Decline/ Connections Despite accomplishments, most in decline by 1,000 BCE Despite accomplishments, most in decline by 1,000 BCE Connections between the first civilization and subsequent forms in several river valley civilizations Connections between the first civilization and subsequent forms in several river valley civilizations

Conclusion After ~ 1,000 BCE development and spread of civilization begin After ~ 1,000 BCE development and spread of civilization begin Many accomplishments had a lasting impact Many accomplishments had a lasting impact

Conclusion cont’d Others- invention of the wheel, taming of horses, the creation of usable alphabets, writing implements, the production of key mathematical concepts such as square roots, the development of well- organized monarchies and bureaucracies,Others- invention of the wheel, taming of horses, the creation of usable alphabets, writing implements, the production of key mathematical concepts such as square roots, the development of well- organized monarchies and bureaucracies, and the invention of functional and the invention of functional calendars and other divisions of time

Conclusion cont’d One final result- a pattern of division among the world’s peoples One final result- a pattern of division among the world’s peoples Small groups spread to almost every corner of the worldSmall groups spread to almost every corner of the world Rise of agriculture created new links and trade soon entered the pictureRise of agriculture created new links and trade soon entered the picture