Development of Civilization River Valleys Characteristics of Civilizations

9/17 Focus: From farming villages arose cities, and with them the first civilizations, marking the beginnings of recorded history. Do Now: Where do many historians believe that farming first began.

The Rise of Civilizations One of the most important effects of the Neolithic revolution About 5,000 years ago the first civilizations began to develop in River Valleys Tigris and Euphrates Nile Indus Yellow or Huang-He

The Rise of Civilizations Common geographic characteristics of river valleys All of the are found in a similar latitude Warm to hot climate long growing season Fertile land for farming due to annual flooding Provided water for irrigation of crops Rivers were used for transportation and trade with other groups Provided a food source (fish)

Civilization A complex, organized society Advanced cities Organized government Traditional Economy Specialization of labor Organized religion Social classes Art and Architecture Public works System of record keeping or writing Characteristics of Civilizations

Civilization Cities, Governments, and Public Works Food surpluses lead to increased population Urbanization: The migration of people from rural areas to cities More organized forms of leadership were needed to manage and protect the increased populations Rulers ordered the building of projects that were for the good of the public Roads, Bridges Irrigations canals Defensive walls

Civilizations Traditional Economy An economic system where economic decisions are based on customs, traditions, and belief systems Based primarily around farming

Closure What does urbanization mean?

Civilization Job Specialization and Social Classes Food Surpluses allowed some people to focus on non-farming related occupations People began to specialize in certain jobs Social classes formed based on occupation, wealth, and influence

Civilization Organized Religions Early people were polytheistic Belief in many gods Priests and worshippers tried to gain the favor of gods through rituals Hoped for successful outcomes in war and crop production

Civilization Art and Architecture

Civilization System of Writing and Record keeping Calendars writing began to appear about 5,000 years ago Pictographs Pictures or symbols to represent ideas More advanced systems developed over time that used symbols to represent abstract ideas and concepts Calendars Were needed to know: when to plant and harvest when annual floods were going to occur Changing of the seasons