Beginning of Civilizations Chapter 2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is an economy?

The system that a community uses to produce and distribute goods and services.

What defines a civilization?

A complex society that has cities, a well-organized government, and workers with specialized skills.

What is a resource?

A supply of something that can be used as needed.

What is religion?

A set of shared beliefs about supernatural powers that created and rule the world. Signup and view all the answers

What is a social class?

Groups of people that occupy different ranks or levels in a society. Signup and view all the answers

What three questions define the economy of a society?

What goods and services should be produced? How should these goods and services be produced? Who should get and use these goods and services? Signup and view all the answers

What is the first feature that all civilizations have in common?

Cities. Signup and view all the answers

What social classes were common in most early civilizations?

Rulers and priests, merchants, farmers, skilled workers, and slaves. Signup and view all the answers

How did Uruk differ from earlier farming communities?

Uruk was larger in acres and population, had a strong organized government, and a more complex economy. Signup and view all the answers

How were natural resources linked to the growth of civilizations?

Natural resources like fertile soil, fresh water, and seeds were crucial for building food surpluses necessary for city development and job specialization. Signup and view all the answers

What are public works and give two examples?

Public works are government-organized large-scale projects that benefit society, such as roads and water systems. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you think people in early cities began to trade with other cities?

Trading allowed people to obtain goods they could not produce and to gain wealth by selling surplus foods. Signup and view all the answers

How was job specialization linked to the emergence of social classes?

Job specialization led to different types of work, which enabled the formation of social classes as roles became more defined. Signup and view all the answers

What are the eight features of civilizations?

Cities, organized governments, established religion, job specialization, social classes, public works, arts and architecture, writing. Signup and view all the answers

What are cities?

Cities are near farming centers, allowed for central government, trade, and religion, and became centers of military defense. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of organized governments?

Organized governments manage resources and provide structure (laws and regulations) for common goals. Signup and view all the answers

What is established religion?

Religion provides moral guidance, explains the world, and unifies civilizations around shared beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What is job specialization?

Job specialization allows the civilization to expand its skills and leads to trade by increasing the production of goods. Signup and view all the answers

What are social classes?

Social classes organize civilizations based on wealth, power, and status. Signup and view all the answers

What are public works?

Public works are large-scale projects organized by the government for societal benefit, like roads and water systems. Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of arts and architecture?

Arts and architecture reflect cultural values and serve practical functions; they are expressions of civilization. Signup and view all the answers

What is writing?

Writing consists of various forms used for recording information and communication across time and space. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Economic Structure

Economy encompasses the system communities utilize for producing and distributing goods and services.
Key questions defining a society's economy include what to produce, how to produce, and who receives the goods and services.

Characteristics of Civilization

Civilization is identified as a complex society with cities, organized governments, and specialized labor.
An essential feature of all civilizations is the presence of cities, which serve as central points for governance, trade, and religion.
Common social classes in early civilizations include rulers, priests, merchants, farmers, skilled workers, and slaves.

Resources and Growth

Natural resources such as fertile soil, freshwater, and seeds are crucial for civilization growth, enabling food surpluses necessary for urban development and specialization.
Job specialization arises as a result of resource management, leading to the emergence of social classes as different roles develop within society.

Public Works and Trade

Public works are major government-funded projects that benefit society, including roads, city walls, and water systems.
Trade between early cities was motivated by the desire for goods that were not locally producible and the opportunity to sell surplus products.

Features of Civilization

The eight defining features of civilizations are:
- Cities
- Organized governments
- Established religions
- Job specialization
- Social classes
- Public works
- Arts and architecture
- Writing

Organized Governments

Organized governments play a vital role in resource management and providing structure through laws and regulations, facilitating collaborative goals such as food production and defense.

Role of Religion

Religion provides a moral framework and comfort, unifying civilizations through shared beliefs, often intertwined with governmental authority.

Arts and Architecture

Early architecture showcased grandeur through temples, tombs, and palaces, serving both public functions and aesthetic purposes, while enhancing cultural identity.

Writing Systems

Writing evolved from pictographs to symbols, initially used for record-keeping and later serving diverse functions such as documenting laws and cultural narratives, enhancing communication across time and cultures.

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Description

Explore key concepts from Chapter 2 of the Beginning of Civilizations, including definitions for essential terms such as economy, civilization, resource, and religion. These flashcards are designed to help reinforce your understanding of the foundational aspects of early societies.