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Unit 1 Development of River Valley Civilizations. 4000 BC – 500 BC. General Development of River Valley Civilizations. Neolithic Revolution ( New Stone Age ) produced many important changes in the way of life: Militarily – permanent villages needed protection from raiding nomads or rivals
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Unit 1Development of River Valley Civilizations 4000 BC – 500 BC
General Development of River Valley Civilizations • Neolithic Revolution (New Stone Age) produced many important changes in the way of life: • Militarily – permanent villages needed protection from raiding nomads or rivals • Economically – specialization of labor produced economic differences • Socially – differences in economic power began to create social classes, and at the top were the warriors and priests • Governments - needed to maintain order and protect the weak
General Development of River Valley Civilizations • Many human and geographic similarities existed in the four river valleys: • Periodic Flooding – layer of silt increased soil fertility (more food) • High population density – water and fertile soil sustained many people • Transportation – rivers linked large land areas and formed boundaries • Arid/semi arid/changing climate – limited growing season, land’s fertility • Irrigation – irrigation systems constructed to control water flow and maximize food output; activities at one location affected other areas
Locations of River Valley Civilizations • Civilizations arose in four river valleys: • Mesopotamia - Tigris and Euphrates Rivers - http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/meriv.htm
Mesopotamia • Geography – • Between /along the Tigris and Euprates, known as the “fertile crescent. • A large, open plain without any natural barriers to invaders or migrants • Agriculture – • Climate was hot and dry, but they learned to irrigate the land by diverting water from the rivers. • Government – • Each city-state had their own ruler and local gods. • Later several city-states were united under a single ruler
Mesopotamia • Religion – • They were polytheistic, believing in thousands of different gods. • Rulers were often priests as well. Theocracy • Buildings – • World’s first city builders. • Made buildings from crushed reeds and mud. • Most cities were walled to repel invaders.
Mesopotamia • Cultural/Scientific contributions – • The Sumerians invented the wheel and the sailboat. First to develop tools and weapons made of copper and bronze. Also devised a calendar, divided into 12 months. • The Babylonians developed a number system based on 60 (time) and invented cuneiform, the worlds earliest know writing system
Mesopotamia • Legal System – • Babylonians developed Code of Hammurabi, the earliest written law. • Aim was to ensure justice and protect the weak • Women’s role – • Stayed home and kept the house and cooked. • Responsible for raising children and crushing grain
Locations of River Valley Civilizations • Civilizations arose in four river valleys: • Nile River - http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/lgcolor/egcolor.htm
Egypt • Geography – • Along Nile River which flows northward • Natural barriers include deserts, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and rapids to the south along the river • Government – • Pharaoh was the absolute divine ruler (king) and considered a god • He owned all land, made laws, commanded army, controlled all irrigation and supplies. • Monarchy system of Government, pharaoh inherited power from his father.
Egypt • Religion – • They were polytheistic • Pharaohs were embalmed and placed in tombs in pyramids • Believed in afterlife
Egypt • Cultural/Scientific contributions – • Hieroglyphics, an ancient form of writing with symbols. Appeared on temples, pyramids, and on scrolls of paper made from reeds know as papyrus • Developed knowledge of the human body through embalming, performed surgical operations, such as setting bone fractures • Developed geometry to build projects such as pyramids. Observed the stars and developed a calendar based on 365 days
Egypt • Social Structure • Pharaohs were at the top of the social structure, followed by priests, nobles, artisans, merchants, officials, scribes,. • Peasants were at the low end of social classes, they provided forced labor for farming.
Locations of River Valley Civilizations • Civilizations arose in four river valleys: • Indus River - http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/asia/lgcolor/incolor.htm
Locations of River Valley Civilizations • Civilizations arose in four river valleys: • Huang He and Chang Jiang Rivers - http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/asia/lgcolor/cncolor.htm
