1. Foundations of Civilizations
Section 3: Beginnings of Civilization
Witness History Audio: The Daily Grind Begins
First Cities and Civilizations Arise
The earliest civilizations—such as Sumer, Egypt, and the Indus and Shang civilizations—developed along large rivers. Periodic river flooding made the soil fertile for farming. Farms produced surplus food and people were able to specialize in other types of work. The exceptions were the first civilizations of the Americas, where cities were built on swamps or in the mountains.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What job is depicted in the carving?” (a carpenter) “Why is this an important job in a growing and developing city?” (A growing city would need people to construct houses and other buildings.)
When showing Color Transparency 3, ask, “What is the main feature of early civilizations? (the rise of cities) “How were civilizations similar to nomadic groups?” (In both, people excelled in the arts and sciences.) “How were they different?” (Nomadic groups did not build cities and they did not have complex governments.)
Geography Interactive: River Valley Civilizations
Note Taking Transparency 51
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2. Foundations of Civilizations
Section 3: Beginnings of Civilization
Basic Features that Define Civilization
Most early civilizations had these basic features: organized governments, complex religions, job specialization, social classes, arts and architecture, public works, and writing. Nomadic cultures had some of these characteristics, but they did not build cities and had simpler forms of government.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What job is depicted in the carving?” (a carpenter) “Why is this an important job in a growing and developing city?” (A growing city would need people to construct houses and other buildings.)
When showing Color Transparency 3, ask, “What is the main feature of early civilizations? (the rise of cities) “How were civilizations similar to nomadic groups?” (In both, people excelled in the arts and sciences.) “How were they different?” (Nomadic groups did not build cities and they did not have complex governments.)
Color Transparency 3: Features of Civilizations
Color Transparency 6: From Prehistory to Civilization
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3. Foundations of Civilizations
Section 3: Beginnings of Civilization
Civilizations Change Over Time
Civilizations might grow into large city-states or they might disappear due to an environmental disaster such as a volcano eruption. The migration of people and the invasion of one community by another brought cultural diffusion. This caused the spread of ideas and technology. Eventually, empires would grow from the efforts of strong rulers.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What job is depicted in the carving?” (a carpenter) “Why is this an important job in a growing and developing city?” (A growing city would need people to construct houses and other buildings.)
When showing Color Transparency 3, ask, “What is the main feature of early civilizations? (the rise of cities) “How were civilizations similar to nomadic groups?” (In both, people excelled in the arts and sciences.) “How were they different?” (Nomadic groups did not build cities and they did not have complex governments.)
QuickTake Section Quiz
Progress Monitoring Transparency
QuickTake Chapter Test
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4. Foundations of Civilization: Section 3
Note Taking Transparency 51
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5. Foundations of Civilization: Section 3
Color Transparency 3: Features of Civilizations
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6. Foundations of Civilization: Section 3
Color Transparency 6: Prehistory to Civilization
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7. Foundations of Civilization: Section 3
Progress Monitoring Transparency
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