Journal Question: 9/4

How does geography affect the success or failure of a civilization

Date/Copy/Answer

Unit 2: Civilizations Vocabulary

Read the definition and then write your own using only 5-8 words

Irrigation

Division of Labor

Artisans

Hieroglyphics

Polytheism

Monotheism

Rosetta Stone

Scribes

Cuneiform

Barter

Covenant

Judeo-Christian Ethics

The Foundations of Civilization

Chapter 1 Section 2

After the stone ages, there was a significant shift from hunting and gathering to food producing (farming).

People who lived near the suitable climates for farming would join permanent settlements or civilizations.

Four specific regions of settlements were important for later human development.

4 Civilization Regions

1. The Nile River Valley in Africa

2. Tigris and Euphrates River Valley in Southwest Asia

3. Indus River Valley in South Asia

4. Huang or Yellow River Valley in East Asia

3 Characteristics of a Civilization

Surplus of food supply

Government

Division of Labor

Surplus of Food

The rivers would flood during periods of heavy rain (mid-summer). When the water would recede the soil around the river valley was

perfect for farming.

During the dry, hot periods farmers had to develop irrigation systems to get water to the crops. They would dig ditches and canals to move the water from the river to

the fields. They also built dikes to keep the rivers from over-flooding in the rainy

season.

This new irrigation system led to better crops which led to more food and increases in population.

The Nile River

Population Growth and Governance

With rapid population growth came the need for governance.

Different forms of leadership were created throughout the civilizations to help the societies run. They were the first forms of government Rules to guide people’s behavior Helped, plan, direct, and regulate work

Division of Labor

As farming techniques improved, fewer people were needed to work in the fields.

It opened up the opportunity for people to specialize in other kinds of work. Artisans- skilled workers who would trade their products for

food Merchants and traders- bought products from farmers and

artisans and would sell them to make a living.

Not only did merchants transport goods, they also spread their culture and ideas = Cultural Diffusion

Accomplishments of Civilization

The river valley civilizations were the first to develop calendars because farmers needed to know when the yearly floods were coming. Flood to flood = 1 year 1 year divided according to phases of the moon

Interaction and trading between civilizations led to the need for a written language to pass on information and ideas. What we define as writing began in 3,000 B.C.

Out with the Stone Age, in with the Bronze Age

6,000 years ago the people of the river valley civilizations of the Nile and the Tigris/Euphrates were using copper to make tools and jewelry.

Eventually, they learned to mix copper with tin to create a much harder metal, bronze.

Family and Religion

Women traditionally took care of the family

When agriculture was first developing they had to do a lot of the farming. However, advancements like the plow allowed them

to focus back on taking care of the family.

They were polytheists who believed in many gods and goddesses. Believed they controlled all aspects of human life

Unit 2: Civilizations Vocabulary

Read the definition and then write your own using only 5-8 words

Irrigation

Division of Labor

Artisans

Hieroglyphics

Polytheism

Monotheism

Rosetta Stone

Scribes

Cuneiform

Barter

Covenant

Judeo-Christian Ethics