River Civilizations and Other civilizations of Southwest Asia

Ancient River Valley CivilizationsDuring the New

Stone Age, permanent settlements appearedin River Valleys and around the Fertile Crescent.

River Valleys provided:

•Rich soil for crops and•Protection from invasion Source: http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/images/riv-vall.gif

These early civilizations existedbetween 3500-500 BC

The first civilization was Sumer in Mesopotamia, which means “Land between two rivers”Situated between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers.

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Geography:

Mesopotamia/SumerCity StatesFirst Rulers were Priests

Agriculture, Trade with Egypt

Polytheistic Ziggurats

Priests importantSlavery not based on race

Cuneiform or wedge-shapedwriting based on pictograms

Invented the wheel, sail and plow

Euphrates and Tigris Rivers flow into Persian Gulf, Zagros Mountainsprovide protection

The second civilization to develop was Egypt along the Nile River.

http://loellenpark.org/callens/images/stories/Ancient_Egypt_Map.jpg

Political:

Economic:

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Geography:

Egypt Nile River ValleyUnified- One government in which Pharaohs = Gods, hereditary rule

Agriculture, Trade with Mesopotamia & KushGold is important!

Polytheistic – A wonderful life after deathMummification, pyramidsPriests at topSlavery not based on race

Hieroglyphics – picture based writing

Papyrus, math, engineering, the Pyramidsand a 365 day calendar

The Nile – the longest river in the world. Deserts provide protection

The Third River Civilization was the Indus River Valley civilization in India

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Indus River Valley

strong centralized gov’t

Writing has never been Deciphered so little is known

Few social class differences

Hinduism

Traded with Sumer

Indoor Plumbing…remember the toilets?

Indus River, Hindu Kush Mountains, Himalayas provided protection, Indian subcontinent

The Fourth River Valley Civilization was The Huang He River civilization in China

Source: http://core.ecu.edu/hist/tuckerjo/chinciv.jpg

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Economic:

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Geography:

China – Huang He River CivMandate of Heaven, Dynasties Beginning with Shang Dynasty

Agriculture- no trade outside of ChinaAncestor Worship – Oracle bones used to communicate with ancestorsDivided between Nobles and Peasants Family very important

Writing based on pictures

Chariot, Silk, Bronze weaponsDevelopment of Iron

Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts provided protectionHuang He River was “Yellow” because windblown Loess was yellow