1. The Neolithic Revolution Study Guide

2. 1. The Neolithic Revolution
The beginning of the Neolithic Revolution was caused by a several factors. The geographic factor that probably contributed most to the Neolithic Revolution was climate change. The geographic factor of climate change would have caused a longer growing season for farmers.

3. 2. The Neolithic Revolution
After the Neolithic Revolution, humans no longer HAD to hunt animals. As a result of the Neolithic revolution they started Animal Domestication (using them and raising them for food).

4. 3. The Neolithic Revolution
The Neolithic Revolution led to an alteration in the social patterns in humans. Because humans no longer had to hunt and gather their food they were able to stay in one place. The Neolithic Revolution led to the creation of settled communities.

5. 4. The Neolithic Revolution
The Neolithic Revolution also caused several other changes in Human societies: the population began growing much faster, advanced cities began growing along rivers and deltas, and specialized laborers working different jobs began to produce more intricate and complex products. A change in human society which did NOT happen because of the Neolithic Revolution was that people began using bone and stone tools.

6. 5. The Neolithic Revolution
Another aspect of civilization that the Neolithic revolution led to was the development of government. The transition to farming influenced government because governments were needed to set laws and provide order for the people.

7. 6. Early Societies
There are four early civilizations that we have discussed in this unit: Nile River Valley (Egypt), Mesopotamia (between the Tigris and Euphrates), Indus River Valley (India) and the Huang He (Yellow River) and Yangtze River – both in China.

8. 7. Early Societies
The location of these civilization was heavily influenced by one thing: Early river valley civilizations began near rivers to use as transportation and a fresh water source.

9. 8. Early Societies
Several things indicate Civilization. Civilization is indicated by government, culture, laws, currency, written language, and social structure.

10. 9. Early Societies
Several historical artifacts can indicate civilization such as : A metal coin (currency), A piece of woven silk, and a clay tablet with writing. A historical artifact that does NOT indicate civilization is a fish hook made of bone.

11. 10. Early Societies
Early civilizations arose from about 8,000 BC to 500 BC. Early societies were characterized by several things: they had the first organized governments, they had the first systems of writing, and they had the first major religions. Early societies during the era of Early Civilizations were NOT characterized by the first use of gunpowder.

12. 11. Early Societies
One of the location for an early civilization was the Indus River valley in India. Sometimes the early Indus River Valley settlements sometimes forced to change location because the Indus River occasionally changed course.

13. 12. Early Societies
The Nile River in Egypt flooded regularly every year which had the effect of renewing the soil and making it very good for farming. Egypt was called the “Gift of the Nile” because the annual flooding and irrigation from the Nile provided for farming in a desert region.

14. 13. Early Societies
A theocracy is when a government is run by a religion. The early civilization of Egypt (Nile River valley) was ruled by a pharaoh know as a god-king. Because their government and religion were tied together like that Egypt was considered a theocracy.

15. 14. Early Societies
With the rise of early civilizations building became more important and common. An architectural achievement that is attributed to the Egyptian are the Pyramids of Giza.

16. 15. Early Societies
Hammurabi was a Babylonian ruler. He codified hundreds of laws and set out penalties for violating those laws. This was known as Hammurabi’s Code. Hammurabi’s Code had a lasting impact because the laws were made more consistent and predictable. Hammurabi’s Code is first (and most famous) codified law in history.

17. 16. Early Societies
The early civilization in China was ruled by dynasties. A Dynasty is characterized by a family maintaining power for several generations.

18. 17. Early Religions
There were four early religions discussed in this unit: Judaism, Confucianism, Buddhism and Hinduism. The origins of Buddhism and Hinduism were similar because they both began in the same country.

19. 18. Early Religions
Confucianism was started by Confucius in what is now China. The objective which was a primary goal of Confucianism was to restore social order through proper behavior.

20. 19. Early Religions
The Aryan people were an ancient people that moved into India and brought a religion with them. The religion the Aryan people brought to the Indus River Valley was Hinduism.

21. Site of Ancient Civilizations Documents Influencing Modern Law
20. Maps and Charts
Site of Ancient Civilizations
Documents Influencing Modern Law
Major World Religions
Euphrates River
Declaration of Independence
Buddhism
Huang He (Yellow River)
Hammurabi’s Code
Christianity
Indus River
Hinduism
Nile River
Islam
Tigris River
Judaism

22. 21. Maps and Charts A + Nile River valley (Egypt)
C = Mesopotamia (Between the
Tigris and Euphrates

23. 22. Venn Diagram