1. Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley and China

2.  All early civilizations arose near rivers.  In the Middle East, the Sumerians settled the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.  In Africa the Egyptians established cities beside the Nile.  In South Asia an early Indian people built a civilization near the Indus River.  In East Asia, the Chinese farmed near the Huang He River.

3.  Framers built canals to bring water to the fields for farming.  They also took fish from the rivers.  Rivers also gave them a way to carry surplus goods to be traded elsewhere.  The civilizations had important differences.  Each region grew different crops and distinct cultures.

4.  Egyptians had an advantage over the Sumerians because the Nile area was less swampy.  Therefore, the villages along the Nile had more contact and less conflict than the isolated Sumerian communities.  The Indus Valley was hot and dry.  Floods of the Indus River brought water and rich soil to the region.

5.  The floods did not occur regularly every fall but came unexpectedly.  Sometimes it did not come for long periods.  Sometimes it was so strong that it destroyed all the crops.  The people of the Indus had to dig irrigation ditches and build flood barriers.

6.  King represented the god.  He over saw the maintenance of the temple and the irrigation system and commanded the army.  The King did have to answer in some ways to the priests.  300 laws gave the government a big role in punishments

7.  Gave government control over daily affairs.  Set punishments for dishonest business practices and nonpayment of debts.  Laws also increased the legal rights of women and slaves.  Punishments were harsher for people of the lower rank than the nobility.  Kings, priests, nobility, commoners, criminals, debtors, prisoners of war, slaves.  Woman were would care for the family.

8.  The Pharaoh was the god. Upper class  The Pharaoh’s main duty was to care for the people.  They kept powerful armies to protect Egypt from enemies.  Priests, nobles and governors also helped the pharaoh.  They collected and decided how money would be spent.  Slaves were the lowest. Woman enjoyed more rights.

9.  No clear evidence of how the Indus were governed.  Nonetheless scholars believe this civilization developed under some strong organizing influence such as councils of businessman, craftsmen and farmers.  They built beautifully planned cities and efficient irrigation system.  Powerful merchants may have been the elite.  Not clear how woman were treated.

10.  They had dynasties.  King ruled the dynasty.  Kings and nobles lived in palaces.  Skilled workers such as craftsmen were above the peasants and slaves who worked the land.  Women had few legal rights.