TECHNOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSFORMATIONS

To 600 B.C.E.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

World History is GLOBAL! Humans emerged in East Africa Hunting-Foraging bands migrated to:

Eurasia Americas Australia

New technology & culture emerged as they arrived in different climate zones

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Neolithic Revolution began in about 8000 BCE Agriculture developed in different places at

different times! Nile Valley Tigris & Euphrates Valley Huang He/Yellow River Indus River Mesoamerica Andes New Guinea

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Pastoralism remained a thriving way of life in steppe grasslands

Cooperation was required to clear land and control water for crop production

Soil depletion, overgrazing, deforestation…all impact the earth

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Population grew exponentially with farming and grazing

Surplus of food=specialization of labor Artisans, warriors, elites, unskilled masses

Technology led to improvements in farming (plows, metals), trade (pottery, woven textiles), and transportation (wheels)

Elites gain wealth & promote patriarchy & large poor classes

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW

States first emerge in the core agricultural areas Egypt Mohenjo-Daro & Harappa Shang Dynasty Sumeria Olmec Chavin

EARLY STATES

Mobilized resources for farming Organized labor Led by a divine ruler Had military support Competed with other states for resources

Ex. Hittites had iron so others wanted it Metals were a key component

Gained knowledge of new weapons & technology from pastoralists (examples?)

EARLY STATES

Culture was important to these states: Monumental architecture Urban planning Sculpture/painting (frescoes) Record keeping Literature (Epic of Gilgamesh)

Politics reflected existing hierarchies & the rule over the masses Hammurabi’s Code

EARLY STATES

Complex religious beliefs develop: Polytheism, then…. Early Hinduism (Vedic religion) Judaism (monotheistic) Zoroastrianism (monotheistic)

Trade expands locally, regionally, and trans-regionally (goods, technology, & CULTURE!) Egypt & Nubia, Mesopotamia & India