AP World History Review Period 1: Technological and Environmental Transformations

AP World History ReviewPeriod 1: Technological and

Environmental Transformations

Bill Strickland

East Grand Rapids High School

East Grand Rapids, MI

[email protected]

Bill Strickland [email protected] 2April 19, 2023

Period 1 Key Concepts

1.1 Big Geography & the Peopling of the Earth

1.2 The Neolithic Revolution & Early Agricultural Societies

1.3 The Development and Interactions of Early Agricultural, Pastoral, and Urban Societies


Period 1 Key Concepts

1. Big Geography & the Peopling of the Earth

I. During the Paleolithic Era (pre-10,000 BCE) hunter-gatherers gradually migrated from East Africa to Eurasia, Australia and the Americas, adapting their technology and cultures.


Key Concepts (In Question Form)

1. Big Geography & the Peopling of the Earth

What is the evidence that explains the earliest history of humans and the planet?

How is this evidence interpreted?

Where did humans first appear on Earth, and what were the characteristics of their society, religion, technology, economy and culture?

How did the earliest humans procure enough supplies to survive?


Q: What is the evidence that explainsthe earliest history of humans and the planet?

“Out of Africa” migrations Theory based on Archeological Evidence


Q: How is this evidence interpreted?

Archaeological Evidence: “Lucy”

Louis & Mary Leakey

Richard Leakey,

1979

“Lucy” skeleton

Footprints in Olduvai

Gorge, eastern

Africa


Q: What were thecharacteristics of early humans’ …

Society?Little if any social classes

no possessions to distinguish rich/poor, powerful/weak

Egalitarian (equal but not identical work & value of both genders’ contributions)

Men probably hunted, women foraged/gathered.Small bands/communities (30-50 people)

How do we know this?Comparison to modern hunter-gatherer

societies



Culture?Art – cave paintingReligion – most likely animisticArchitecture – simple Tools – stone, wood, but no wheel until

several millennia laterTechnology – Fire (post-8,000 BCE)



Religion?Most likely animistic.



Technology?Stone Tools/Weapons

Specially adapted to different environments. (What works in the tropics won’t in the tundra!)



Technology?Stone Tools/Weapons (no wheel yet!)Fire

Useful in slash & burn agriculture Protection against animals Keeping warm in cold climates Food



Economy?Small kinship groups of 30-50 people.

Some were self-sufficient

Trade, including … People Ideas Goods

Very limited range of contact w/ other groups


1.3 The Development & Interactions of Agricultural, Pastoral, and Urban Societies

What are the characteristics of a “civilization?” (or “complex society”)Cities, Social structure?Religious beliefs & practices?Political structure?Economic activity?


Which of these are a “civilization”?


Q: By 600 BCE, what were thecharacteristics of ancient humans’ …

SocietyElites (military, religious, political) present in

most/all civilizations.Most political rulers claimed some kind of

divinity or divine support, supported by the religious hierarchy & professional warriors.

Zhou Dynasty’s “Mandate of Heaven” Mesopotamia’s Epic of Gilgamesh India’s Lawbook of Manu Popul Vuh in the Americas


Resources for Additional Info

John Green’s “Crash Course” videos.

AP World History Review Period 1: Technological and Environmental Transformations

Documents

Transcript of AP World History Review Period 1: Technological and Environmental Transformations