1. Development of Civilization
River Valleys
Characteristics of Civilizations

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. Closure
What does urbanization mean?

10. 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

11. 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

12. Civilization
Art and Architecture

13. 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