Aim: How did Early Peoples and River Civilization develop?

Reviewing Global History and Geography- Unit 1 Section 1

Key People and Vocabulary Nomads Cultural Diffusion Neolithic Technology Civilization Polytheistic Pharaoh

Fertile Crescent Ziggurats Cuneiform Empire Code of

Hammurabi Middle Kingdom Dynasty

Early Peoples

The first peoples lived more than 2 million years ago during the period known as Prehistoric Times or Prehistory which means the “Time before people invented writing”

Hunters and Gathers During the “Old Stone Age” also known

as the “Paleolithic Age” people were known as Nomads which meant people who moved from place to place hunting and gathering their own food.

Nomads made their own tools and weapons and traveled in small groups. They were the first people to make clothing and fire. They were Polytheistic and were the first people to bury the dead.

Origins of Man

The earliest people live in East Africa. These people were able to migrate all over the world. First to Europe and Asia and then to the America’s across a land Bridge.

This migration led to Cultural Diffusion or the exchange of ideas, customs, and goods among different cultures.

The Neolithic Revolution As the planet grew warmer life

changed and plants began growing in areas where ice covered the landscape. This became know as the “New Stone Age”

Around 10,000 BC people learned to plant seeds for food and domesticate animals. Historians refer to this period as the “Neolithic Revolution” or the “Agricultural Revolution”.

Change for Humans People lived together in permanent

settlements. When resources lessened groups went

to war and men distinguished themselves as leaders and warriors.

New technology was developed such as calendars and plows. The wheel, metal weapons and metal tools were also invented.

Rise of Civilizations Around 5,000 years ago the first

civilizations developed around River Valleys. All civilizations had the following› Cities › Central Government › Traditional Economies› Organized Religions› Social Classes› Arts and Architecture› Roads and bridges› Writing

Egypt The earliest civilization which

developed about 5,000 years ago.

Egypt is mostly desert, so people settled along the Nile River. The river provided water for drinking and irrigation for crops. Yearly flooding soaked the land and left deposits of Silt that kept the land fertile. The river was also used for travel.

Egypt’s Religion

Polytheistic- believed in many Gods› Chief God is the sun God Amon-Re› Osiris is the God the Nile River› Believed in life after death› Built Pyramids for the Pharaoh’s› Prepared the dead for the afterlife using

mummification

Egypt’s Government

Pharaoh’s ruled the land› Considered to be both God and King.› Laid to rest in pyramids which took years

to build.› When buried in pyramids the Pharaoh was

surrounded by their possessions.› Power would pass to other family members

of the Pharaoh thus forming dynasties.

Egypt’s Social Structure

Egyptian society was divided into classes:1. Pharaohs held highest position2. Priests served the Gods and Goddesses3. The Nobles who fought the wars4. Craftspeople and Merchants5. The Peasant Farmers this was largest group6. Slaves

Women held a high status they could own property, enter business deals, and obtain a divorce.

Egyptian Contributions1. Mummification2. Medical Diagnosis3. Surgery4. Calendars 5. Hieroglyphics6. Pyramids7. Military fighting8. Ceremonies to honor rulers9. Statues and Paintings

Mesopotamia Mesopotamia was located to the north

and east of Egypt. This area was known as the Fertile Crescent because the area is crescent shaped and had good farm land due to the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Fertile Crescent means “the cradle of civilization”.

Mesopotamia means “land between the rivers”.

The Civilizations of the Fertile Crescent

1. Sumerians› Developed 5,000 years ago› Polytheistic› Built pyramid like structures called

ziggurats› Built irrigation systems, dikes, and canals› Traded with Egypt and India› Made first wheeled vehicles› First metal plow, 12 month calendar, the

first number system which became the basis for clocks

› Developed writing style Cuneiform

2. Babylonians developed the first empire or groups of states or territories controlled by one ruler.

› Hammurabi was the first ruler› Developed set of laws called the Code of

Hammurabi› Standards of justice developed for all.

Punishment was harsh and stressed the idea “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Indus River Valley Indian civilization developed along the

Indus Valley› Not much is known about this civilization

but remains of great cities have been found.

› Developed about 2,500 years ago.› Roads were developed in a grid pattern

(just like Manhattan today).› Most people were farmers.› In 1500 B.C. nomadic warriors called

Aryans conquered the Indus Valley and wiped out the civilization.

Ancient China Developed in the river valleys of the

Huang He or Yellow River and the Yangzi River.

Mountains, deserts, jungles, and the ocean isolated China more so than any other civilization

Believed their culture was the center of the world. They called their civilization the “Middle Kingdom”

Government of China Developed dynasties of ruling families Clans or groups of people controlled

local areas. The Shang Dynasty was the first ruling

family in 1650 BC Were polytheistic and believed in two

forces controlling the universe. Known as the Yin and the Yang.

Social Structure and Contributions

Resembled other civilizations with Gods and Rulers at the top followed by› Noble land owners› Merchants and Crafts people› Peasant farmers

Written Chinese developed 4,000 years ago, only the upper classes would read and write.