Transcript First Civilizations

First Civilizations
Chapter 1 World History (B)
Mr. Simmons
The First Humans
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3-4 million years ago the hominid –first
humanlike creature that walked upright, lived in
Africa
1.5 million years ago Homo erectus “upright
human-being”
250,000 years ago homo sapiens appeared in two
groups: Neanderthals and homo sapiens sapiens
Paleolithic Age
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People used simple stone tools
Nomadic people – means they moved from
place to place hunting and gathering
Sophisticated cave paitings
Neolithic Revolution
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At the end of the last Ice Age around 8000 B.C.
Shift from hunting/gathering to growing food
on a regular basis or systematic agriculture
Domestication of animals
One of the most important developments in
human history
Civilization
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Civilization – a complex culture in which several
human beings share a number of common
elements
Mesopotamia – valley between the Tigris and
Euphrates rivers known as the Fertile Crescent
City-states were formed to have political and
economic control over larger areas
Rise of Empires
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Sumerian and Akkadians fought over control of citystates Akkadians defeated Sumerians under Sargon and
built the first empire in world history (2340 BC)
Hammurabi came to power in the city-states of Akkad
and Sumer.(1792 BC)
Hammurabi code was a law code set up for strict
justice, punishments were severe, and varied according
to social class of the victim.
Principal of “an eye for an eye” was fundamental part.
Expressed the patriarchal nature of Mesopotamian
society
Discussion Question
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Throughout history empires have risen and
fallen what nations today are empire building?
The code of Hammurabi involved punishment
based on the social class of the victim, does
social class matter today when law is applied?
Egyptian Empire
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The Nile river
Upper and Lower Egypt
Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom
Old Kingdom (2700-2200 BC) –divine kingship,
building of the pyramids at Giza
Middle Kingdom (2050-1652 BC) – reforms,
canals, irrigation
New Kingdom (1567-1085 BC) became most
powerful state in southwest Asia,
Egyptian society
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Pyramid shaped class system at the top was the
god-king.
Hieroglyphics used pictures and other abstract
forms very complex (written language)
Very advanced in mathematics (helped them
build massive pyramids and monuments)
Other Civilizations
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Israelites – become known for their religion,
King Solomon (970-930) Judaism, Monotheistic
- believed in one god.
Assyrian – used terror as instrument of war,
very brutal people.
Persian – Cyrus was their great ruler created the
Royal Road
India’s early civilizations
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Civilization emerged in India in the Indus River
Valley. (3000-1500 BC)
Natural Disasters caused the Indus civilization
to vanish after thriving for hundreds of years.
The Aryan people began to flourish in India on
the Deccan Plateau
Eventually they would control all of India
Silk Road was very important trade route
Discussion Questions
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Why did Cyrus build the Royal Road in the
Persian Empire?
What can be compared to the Royal Road in
today’s society?
Society in India
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Caste System consist of four classes or varna
Brahmans – priest
Kshatriyas – warriors
Vaisyas – commoners, merchants
Sudras – peasants, laborers
Society in India
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Religions – Hinduism and Buddhism
Hinduism came from the beliefs of the Aryan people.
Biggest idea of Hinduism is reincarnation or belief that
soul is reborn in different form after death, also know
what Karma is
Buddhism was created by Siddhartha Gautama or the
“enlightened one” belief that people should let go of
physical world to reach wisdom and nirvana
China
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The Dynasties
Qin Dynasty – built the first great wall of China
Han Dynasty – expansion as far south as
modern day Veitnam
Religion – Confucianism believed that universe
was created in a way that if you lived in
harmony you would prosper. Two principles:
duty and humanity
Questions
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Does America today have a trade route such as
the silk road in India?
Why do societies have the need to create
systems of higher and lower class?