Post on 25-Dec-2015
Neolithic Revolution Hunter-Gatherer
societies dominate most of pre-history.
1. Change from nomadic life to farming.
2. Domesticated animals.
Characteristics of Civilizations1. Organized governments
2. Religion
3. Jobs
4. Social Classes
5. Art and Architecture
6. Public Works
7. Writing
Characteristics of Civilizationsa. Way of keeping records.
b. Groups of people based on power, money, or fighting ability.
c. Roads, sewers, libraries, etc.
d. Belief system
e. Designed to provide order.
f. Buildings and cultural designs.
g. Specialized artisans
First Civilizations Mesopotamia (Iraq) Nile River Valley (Egypt) Indus River Valley (India) Huang He/Yellow River (China)
Mesopotamia: Fertile Crescent
Tigris River Euphrates River What new technology allowed these
rivers to become the first area in the world where civilizations could grow? Irrigation
Mesopotamia: Writing The writing style used by the people
inhabiting the area of Mesopotamia was called Cuneiform.
Cuneiform is the oldest known form of writing and consists of wedge markings forming a pictogram.
City States: Sumer In between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
settled a people known as Sumerians. (3500 – 2300 B.C.)
The Sumerians formed City-States City States consist of a central city and the
land around it. The city was there for trade and government purposes while the land was irrigated for food production.
Sumerian City States: Technology The Sumerians came
up with many of the basic inventions and technological advancements that we still put into use today.
Inventions include: Wagon wheel Arch Potter’s wheel Sundial 12 month calendar Number system Developed bronze tools
Kingdom of Akkad Sumerians were
conquered by their northern neighbors called Akkadians. (2300 B.C.)
The Akkadians were led by Sargon I
Babylonian Empire Around 1800 B.C. arose another great
empire with it’s capital located in the city of Babylon. Thus the name Babylonian Empire.
This first Babylonian empire is most known for one of its leaders named Hammurabi. Hammurabi is the first known ruler to create a law code and have it written down.
Egypt: Old, Middle, New Kingdoms Old Kingdom (2700 B.C. – 2200 B.C.)
Narmer of Upper Egypt conquers Lower Egypt uniting those who lived in the Nile River Valley with those who lived on the Nile Delta.
Narmer created the first Egyptian dynasty and established a Theocracy to rule over his kingdom.
Capital located in Memphis
Egypt: Old, Middle, New Kingdoms Middle Kindom (2050 B.C. – 1700 B.C.)
After 150 years of civil war and civil strife a new dynasty takes the throne.
New capital in the city of Thebes. Ended by the Invasion of foreigners
called Hyksos.
Egypt: Old, Middle, New Kingdoms New Kingdom (1600 B.C. – 945 B.C.)
Egyptians overcome and displaced their Hyksos rulers in 1600 B.C. and established a new dynasty.
Egyptian rulers called themselves Pharaohs
Egypt: New Kingdom Akhenaton causes religious turmoil by
switching from Polytheistic beliefs to Monotheistic beliefs.
Polytheism Monotheism
Egypt: New Kingdom Ramses II (The Great) attempts to expand the
empire but is thwarted by the Hittites. The Hittites were a people from Asia Minor
(Turkey) who had conquered an empire for themselves.
The Egyptians and Hittites fought over the area of Syria, neither became victors.
Egypt: Hieroglyphs Writing system used by
the Egyptians that involved using symbols to communicate a message.
Glyphs could represent objects, ideas, and sounds.
Egypt: Hieroglyphs With the discovery
of the Rosetta stone archeologists could finally interpret Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Harappa Civilization The Harappan Civilization was based along
the Indus river valley of present day India and Pakistan.
The Harappan economy was based on Monsoons.
They developed a writing system of pictograms similar to both Sumerian Cuneiform and Egyptian Hieroglyphs.
Harappa Civilization The Harappan dominance of the Indus river valley
lasted from 2500 B.C. to 1500 B.C. They are thought to have perished at the hands of invaders called Aryans.
Harappa Civilization The idea of social classes based on birth was
introduced by the Aryans. The system is known as the Caste System and
is still in effect today. There are five different castes.
China: Early Dynasties Xia Dynasty (2200 – 1760 B.C.)
Collection of many early tribes who banded together for protection and trade stability.
Based along the Yellow River. Shang Dynasty
First Dynasty where the central government had absolute control.
Mandate of Heaven. Idea that whoever is in power was put there by heaven.
Unit One Project: Create Your Own Civilization1. Name your civilization.
2. Pick a spot in the world to start your civilization and draw it out. Explain why you chose to place your civilization there.
3. Show where at least 3 cities will go.
4. What language will you use? You may use an existing one or make one up. Example: Harrisonish.
5. What will your writing style be like? Will it be like English, Spanish, and German? Or will it be made up of symbols? Explain why you chose what you did.
6. How will social classes be determined?
7. What Jobs will you have?
8. What will your government be like and how will you enforce order?