CIVILIZATION

p. 19

1. In what way did agriculture change the way people lived together?

• People began to live in larger and more complicated communities, such as villages and towns.

• As the population grew, cities began to emerge that made life and social relationships more complex.

2. What two things helped agriculture to take “root”?

• The domestication of animals

And• The invention of new tools – such as hoes,

sickles, and plows

• These tools helped people to begin to control the natural environment around them so that agriculture would be successful.

3. What effect did agriculture have on population?

• Successful agriculture provided a plentiful supply of food;

• therefore, a larger population could be supported;

• people did not have to move around as much

4. Explain how irrigation systems allowed for a more complex economic system:

• Irrigation allowed the cultivation of more land; this led to the production of a larger harvest.

• This resulted in having more villagers pursue other jobs and develop skills other than farming.

• The creation of non-farming jobs led to the production of goods to trade allowing for a wealthier economy.

5. What two inventions changed transportation in the early civilizations?

• the wheel

• the sail

6. Explain how the social structure in early civilizations developed:

• With division of labor, different classes of society that reflected wealth, power and influence began to emerge.

• People who performed certain job functions also began to form social classes that were defined by their economic status.

7. What are the 5 characteristics of a civilization?

• Advanced cities

• Specialized workers

• Complex institutions; government, religion

• Record keeping: written records

• Advanced technology

8. What things distinguish a “village” from a “city”?

• Some say that the size of the population determines whether or not a village becomes a “city”. However, one of the key differences is that a city is a center of trade for the larger surrounding area.

• Ancient city-dwellers depended on trade; the market where goods were brought for exchange was the center of a city as well as a great meeting place for every citizen to learn the latest news and gossip.

9. What made government necessary in these early civilizations?

• As the population of cities began to increase, there was a need for a leader to keep order in the cities.

• The leader was also needed to establish and enforce the laws made by the city.

• Of course, the leader needed many assistants and other officials to promote the efficient

10. Explain how government and religion was interrelated:

• As cities grew there was a need for specialized workers, such as government officials, priests and traders.

• Religion became a formal institution. Most cities included temples within their walls. Most people recognized a particular god who protected their city.

• The temple served as a center for government and religious functions. Eventually the leader became recognized as either a god himself or the representative of the gods on earth.

• Theocracy=when government and religion are intermixed; the leader is a politician as well as a religious leader