Emergence of Governments and First Civilizations Quiz

Paleolithic Period

• Lasted from 2.5 million years ago to around 10,000 years ago
• Characterized by physical and cultural evolution of humans
• Significant advancements in technology, settlement patterns, religion, economy, and abstract culture

Tool Making

• Evidence of tool manufacture and use dates back to 2.5 million years ago
• Primarily made of stone and used for hunting, cutting, and scraping

Fire

• Discovery and control of fire was a major technological advancement
• Provided warmth, protection from predators, and a way to cook food

Art and Symbolism

• Upper Paleolithic period saw emergence of distinctive regional artistic traditions
• Includes paintings, sculptures, and musical instruments
• Cave paintings and carvings are some of the earliest known forms of human expression

Social Structure and Communication

• Development of complex social structures and communication methods
• Included development of language, rituals, and other social practices

Hunting and Gathering

• Early humans were primarily hunter-gatherers
• Developed strategies and tools for hunting game and gathering plant foods
• Required a deep understanding of the environment and seasonality

Settlement Patterns

• Early humans were nomadic, moving around to follow food sources
• Towards the end of the Paleolithic period, evidence of more permanent settlements

Diet and Lifestyle

• Diet consisted of meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, eggs, and nuts
• Excluded legumes, grains, most starches, refined sugars, and dairy products
• Lifestyle was nomadic, with people living in tribes and relying on hunting, fishing, and gathering
• Used rudimentary chipped stone tools and domesticated animals for food and clothing

First Civilizations

• Emerged in major river valleys, where floodplains contained rich soil and rivers provided irrigation and transportation
• Foundational civilizations developed urbanization and complexity without outside influence

Mesopotamia (8000-2000 B.C.)

• Cradle of civilization; Fertile Crescent
• Three main classes: government officials, nobles, and priests at the top; merchants, artisans, craftsmen, and farmers in the middle; prisoners of war and slaves at the bottom
• Commoners were considered free citizens and were protected by the law
• New techniques in handicraft and metallurgy

Ancient Egypt (3100-332 B.C.)

• The Black Land

Indus Valley (3300 B.C.E.- 1300 B.C.E.)

• a.k.a Harappan Civilization; Largest civilization of the Ancient world

Huang He (2100-1600 B.C.E.)

• China’s Sorrow
• The Huang He (Yellow River) Valley is the birthplace of Chinese Civilization
• Social Class/ city State - Aristocracy run by kings and upper class citizens
• Patriarchal society that stressed respect for parents and elders
• Architecture - Houses below ground to save fertile land for the upper class
• Brick and stone used for defensive walls, the arch for gates and bridges, and the vault for tombs
• Wooden architecture was the mainstay of traditional Chinese buildings

Democratization of Early Civilization

• The word “democracy” has a Greek origin
• Best form of government where leaders are elected by the people and are accountable to them
• Requires building political parties and alliances, establishing credible national agenda, and crafting a constitutional arrangement

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