Overview of Social Scientists and Early Societies

Social Scientists

• Anthropologists study the origin, physical, social, and cultural development of humans, including oral histories, archaeological evidence, and cultural histories
• Geographers study how location influences people's lives, such as the impact of climate on society
• Economists study how societies answer "What to produce?", "How to produce?", and "For whom to produce?" Issues they explore include resource scarcity and goods availability
• Archaeologists study cultural artifacts
• Political scientists examine the origin, development, and operations of political systems and public policy
• Sociologists study society and social behavior by examining groups, cultures, organizations, and social institutions
• Historians research, analyze, and interpret the past

Hunters and Gatherers

• Hunters and gatherers often had defined gender roles, but usually equal ones

Neolithic Revolution

• The Neolithic Revolution was a significant turning point in history, marked by a shift from nomadic hunting and gathering to settled agriculture
• Planting/cultivation led to permanent homes and villages, leading to settled communities
• Civilizations are defined by characteristics like centralized government, organized religion, social classes, specialization of labor, art, architecture, cities, public works (e.g., roads, bridges, temples), and writing systems

Theme: Humans Adapt to Their Surroundings

• Humans adapt to their environment for survival

Neolithic Revolution Regents

• A settled existence allows for food storage, which is crucial for non-food-producing specialists

Heading for Partial Outline

• The heading that best fits the partial outline describing ways societies modify their environment by building bridges, canals and terracing.

Ancient Civilizations (River Valley Civilizations)

• A map showing the location of the major ancient river valley civilizations

River Valley Civilizations

• Presents a table comparing geography, religion, government, and contributions of major early civilizations (Egypt, Mesopotamia, Indus River, and China).

Ancient River Valley Civilizations (Map)

• A map depicting the locations of the earliest known river valley civilizations

Mesopotamia (Fertile Crescent)

• A map highlighting Mesopotamia (Fertile Crescent) and its key empires (Akkadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian)

Hammurabi's Code

• Hammurabi's code aimed to maintain law and order in society, but its punishments varied based on social class, with harsher punishments for lower social status

Geographic Effects: India

• The Himalayan Mountains to the north of the Mauryan Empire isolated it from the Middle East
• The monsoon cycle influences rainfall patterns, with periods of high rainfall often leading to floods, especially in inland areas, and droughts

Indus Artifacts Found in Mesopotamia

• Discovery of Indus artifacts in Mesopotamia serves as an example of cultural exchange and interaction

World Religions

• Shows different world religions with their symbols

Hinduism

• Hinduism is a polytheistic religion that originated in India;
• Key concepts include the caste system, breaking Samsara by achieving Moksha, the Vedas and Upanishads as holy books, Brahman as the highest universal principle, Karma, and Dharma

Judaism

• Originated in Mesopotamia, Judaism is a monotheistic religion centered around belief in one God (Yahweh)
• Key features include travel from Mesopotamia to Egypt, establishment in Israel, and the 10 Commandments as Jewish law

Buddhism

• Rejection of the Hindu caste system
• Originated in India and spread along the Silk Roads
• Key concepts including the 4 Noble Truths (suffering, cause of suffering, end of suffering, path to end suffering), the truth as the path out of suffering
• The Eightfold Path as a guide
• Reaches enlightenment (Nirvana as an end of suffering)

Jainism

• Originated in India; emphasizes non-violence and denial of earthly possessions/pleasures

Confucianism

• Philosophy developed in China during the Zhou Dynasty, establishing order during the warring states period
• Emphasizes filial piety (respect for elders, parents, and those above you)

Daoism (Taoism)

• Philosophy concerned with harmony with nature, developed during the warring states period in China
• Highlights Dao (the way) and Wu-Wei (creating positive outcomes through inaction)

Christianity

• Originated in the Roman Empire
• Believed in one God, Jesus as the Messiah, and a Holy Trinity, along with the Old and New Testaments and Gospels
• Allows for equality, regardless of social status, promoting salvation through faith and good works

Islam

• Originated in Mecca, the monotheistic religion centers around belief in one God (Allah)
• Based on the Quran, spread quickly, and emphasized good rule

Religions - Identifying Religious Texts

• Distinguishing between Jewish (Torah) and Islamic (Quran) passages based on identifying keywords

Classical Period: Empires and Golden Ages

• List of notable empires and Golden Ages, such as the Han Dynasty (China), Gupta Empire (India), Age of Pericles (Greece), Pax Romana (Rome), and Maya Civilization (Classical)

What is a Golden Age?

• A question

China: Qin Dynasty

• Qin Dynasty under Shi Huangdi, emphasis on legalism, strict adherence to ruler's policies, and a strong central government.

China: Han Dynasty/Han Empire

• The Han Dynasty was a golden age in China
• They established trade along the Silk Roads, and traded with Romans
• They invented gunpowder

Silk Roads

• Trade routes that connected East and West
• Silk's production led to wealth for China, while cultural diffusion expanded to other countries/empires
• Buddhism spread from India through the Silk Roads

India: Mauryan Empire

• Conquered much territory, used war elephants
• Ashoka converted to Buddhism after a violent war and established a Buddhist empire

India: Gupta Empire

• Gupta Empire was a time of peace, prosperity, mathematical, and scientific concepts
• Founded universities (both Hindu and Buddhist)

India Geographic Features

• India's geographical isolation contributed to internal political unity and peace and facilitating the spread of ideas like Buddhism

Mayans

• Had a social class structure
• City states

Greece

• Mountains separated and protected city-states
• Athens developed direct democracy, Sparta was militaristic and monarchical
• Sparta and Athens fought in the Peloponnesian Wars
• Pericles led Athens during the Golden Age
• Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were significant Greek philosophers

Hellenistic Culture

• Alexander the Great spread Greek culture
• Alexandria (in Egypt) became a major city in the Ptolemaic empire due to Alexander's conquest
• Greek language spread across Europe

Hellenistic Civilization (Puzzle)

• Graphic showing the merging of Greek and other civilizations under Alexander

Romans

• Located in the Mediterranean, conquered Europe and parts of Asia, Africa, and participated in trade with Han Dynasty in China
• The Roman Republic transitioned to an empire with significant centralized power
• Pax Romana, a period of peace and prosperity, was ushered in by Caesar Augustus
• Latin and Greek languages had influence on the Roman Empire

Silk Roads (Trade Routes)

• Silk Roads trade connected East and West
• The Chinese's secrets regarding silk production led to them becoming wealthy through trade and expanded cultural diffusion to other countries/empires; Buddhism spread along the Silk Roads as well
• The Silk Roads connected to trade with India, China, and as far East as Japan

Indian Ocean Trade Network

• Shows the trade routes via the Indian Ocean

Mediterranean Sea

• The Mediterranean Sea was vital to trade between the Romans and others, including their trade with the Han Dynasty and Silk Roads.
• Trade networks connected various empires

This quiz covers the roles and studies of various social scientists, including anthropologists, geographers, economists, and historians. It also discusses the lifestyles of hunters and gatherers, along with the transformative impact of the Neolithic Revolution on human societies. Test your knowledge on these fundamental aspects of social science and history.