1. 3.5 Global Social Structures
The Development of Civilizations | BCE

2. Similarities and Differences
Social hierarchies favored wealthy, landed elites at the top of society
Social hierarchies would vary in justification of divides and the value of lower class social groups

3. East Asia The ruling dynasty (family) was the divine ruler of China
Administrative/bureaucratic class consisted of landed aristocrats who were powerful and wealthy
The laboring masses consisted of the peasants and the merchants. Merchants were looked down upon for their lack of social contribution
The unskilled labor (not enslaved) were certainly stigmatized. They had to wear green identification scarfs and were unfairly blamed for social problems

4. South and Southeast Asia
Religious Purity
Aryans
By the end of the Vedic Period, which allowed Hindu culture to mature to what it would become today, 5 major castes emerged (varnas)
Brahmins (priests and intellectuals running the country)
Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers)
Vaishyas (merchants and farmers)
Sudras (common workers and peasants)
Untouchables (those that remain to do the most undesirable of jobs)
Indigenous Indians

5. Wealth
The Near East
Dynasties of divine rulers, given the right to rule by the gods
The priests supported the massive effort to appease the gods
The military that protected all of society
Skilled craftsmen, which could help construct large, religious structures. Also scribes, who could keep records of the city’s inventory
Merchants (selling goods locally) and traders (selling goods regionally)
Farmers and laborers, as well as slaves. These were seen as the lowest in society
Rights and power became attached to status and wealth as new cultures were assimilated

6. The State Africa A god figure as divine leader to lead the state
A powerful bureaucratic and priestly class to run the state
The military to protect the state
Scribes to organize the state
Merchants and craftsmen as the economic heart of the state
Farmers and slaves as the labor of the state (pyramids built by contracted labor)
The state was seen as a leading regulator of society. Over time, the Egyptians did not require an Egyptian state regulator

7. Europe Outside of part of Greece, Europe was entirely tribal
Mycenaean culture (influenced by the Minoans before 1500 BCE) was varied and warlike
Social structure varied according to each Mycenaean state, but favored:
A ruling, elite class
The military
Religious leaders (the Oracle of Delphi)
Commoners
Slaves

8. The Americas
While the details are still unknown to us today, some obvious social classes were present
A divine leader
A high council of elites
A military class
The commoners (merchants and farmers)
This structure was present in both Mesoamerican and Andean civilizations
In the Andes, a well-defined bureaucracy would emerge outside of simply a council of elites