Lesson 3 - Agricultural Revolution to the Emergence of Civilization
In this lesson you will:
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Agricultural Revolution to Civilization
As we learned in the previous lesson there is an important relationship between the availability of food and the growth of population. Once early people realize that food sources can be managed and produced without having to constantly move around with your food source, population will grow. Now that the world population is growing, the chances of groups running into each other only increase. Nomadic groups that run across the village that Oog’s family started may decide to combine for the betterment of all. The more people to help with the farming, gathering, caring for animals and other chores makes the burden on the group easier to bare. More happy healthy people create more happy healthy people and the more food will be required to keep them all happy. In a way, it is a vicious cycle.
As this process repeats, hopefully you can see how quickly a small village and soon grow into a town, into a small city, into a larger city, and so on. Most of this growth can be contributed to the fact that food is easier to obtain.
As we learned in the previous lesson there is an important relationship between the availability of food and the growth of population. Once early people realize that food sources can be managed and produced without having to constantly move around with your food source, population will grow. Now that the world population is growing, the chances of groups running into each other only increase. Nomadic groups that run across the village that Oog’s family started may decide to combine for the betterment of all. The more people to help with the farming, gathering, caring for animals and other chores makes the burden on the group easier to bare. More happy healthy people create more happy healthy people and the more food will be required to keep them all happy. In a way, it is a vicious cycle.
As this process repeats, hopefully you can see how quickly a small village and soon grow into a town, into a small city, into a larger city, and so on. Most of this growth can be contributed to the fact that food is easier to obtain.
Assignment: Write a reflection in your class notebook discussing why you think the Agricultural Revolution was important to the emergence of civilization.
One important note to make is at this time, groups of people, even large one are working for the good of the group, not just providing for themselves or their families. Harvest at the end of the growing season is shared with all as everyone has some role to fulfill to help the group survive. Overtime, with the emergence of civilization this will start to change.
5 Characteristics of Civilization – Print off Graphic Organizer above
Civilization comes from the Latin root ‘Civitas’, meaning cities. Large civilizations will emerge toward the end of the Neolithic Era. There are four main civilizations that will develop independently of each other around this time. Those civilizations will develop in Egypt, Middle East, India and China. We will learn more about them in our next unit. Historians have determined that there are 5 Characteristics that all civilizations share. We have really already discussed one of the 5 Characteristics and what may be the most important, Surplus Food. The other characteristics are Complex Institutions, Division of Labor, Written Language and Calendar.
1 - Surplus Food
Without surplus food, it will be hard for population to maintain and grow. Growing population and the need for more food will become the driving force for other significant changes also needed for civilization to occur. With advances in farming technology, farmers will be able to work more land in the same amount of time with a greater harvest at the end of the season. As a result, not everyone needs to farm, it frees some up to take on new jobs, this will be discussed further down.
2 - Complex Institutions
Complex institutions are organized structures that control one or more aspect of life. The two main complex institutions are government and/or religion. As previously mentioned, the larger the population the more complex the organizational structure will need to be to meet the groups needs. As a general rule we ask government, and sometimes religions, to provide certain securities for us as citizens. Each time we ask the government to do more for us, it adds to the size of the government. In some early civilizations religion and government may be so intertwined that there is no separation between the two. For ease of reference we will use government in our explanation.
Government will take on the role of the protectors of society (military, police), they will supervise building projects (as many times labor will be slave labor), protector of religious figures and tax collectors.
3- Division of Labor
Division of labor is the evolution of specialized workers. Like hinted at under surplus food, with farmers being able to do more, it frees others to take on new trades/professions. Workers who have areas where they excel will start to focus on and enhance those. Those workers become known are artisans. Others may be more suited to take on rolls as merchants and traders to facilitate the exchange of excess goods for needed items.
4- Writing - Record Keeping
Record keeping first started as a way for priests, who were responsible for keeping track of ceremonies and outcomes of religious rituals to keep the Gods happy. Like many other things during this time frame this would be a trial and error process. Remembering that the religions of the time were based on the belief that the Gods controlled the forces of nature, having multiple Gods, require multiple ceremonies to do just that. If the outcome was not favorable, the priests, not wanting to make the same mistake twice would have to record what had been tried and the extent in which they figured it worked. Eventually these marks or drawings would evolve into a written language. A special class of priests evolved, scribes, who were responsible for mastering the writing and reading of the symbols. Unlike today, where we teach everyone to read and write the language, these written languages were kept secretive. If everyone could read and write the symbols then anyone could do the religious ceremonies and the priests would not be needed.
As governments continue to evolve and as the two institutions become closer in many civilizations, government starts to see the importance of written records. Government likes to keep track of births, deaths, ownership and other business contracts to determine and record tax payments. Governments have been keeping records on us for a very long time.
Overtime writing will eventually become a way to pass down cultural traditions, learning, wisdom, information, ideas and religious beliefs.
5- Calendar
Calendars, the last of the 5 Characteristics, go hand in hand with written language or record keeping. It is important when doing religious rituals that they are done at the right time. A ritual done too soon could cause the river to flood at the wrong time and ruin a season’s crop. This will not be as important once irrigation is developed, but it is still important to know when to plant your crops and how to consistently mark the passage of time. Most calendars created were based on the cycle of the moon.
GROWTH OF CITIES
As already mentioned there are four areas of the world that will develop independently of each other. But they will all have the above characteristics in common as well as others.
5 Characteristics of Civilization – Print off Graphic Organizer above
Civilization comes from the Latin root ‘Civitas’, meaning cities. Large civilizations will emerge toward the end of the Neolithic Era. There are four main civilizations that will develop independently of each other around this time. Those civilizations will develop in Egypt, Middle East, India and China. We will learn more about them in our next unit. Historians have determined that there are 5 Characteristics that all civilizations share. We have really already discussed one of the 5 Characteristics and what may be the most important, Surplus Food. The other characteristics are Complex Institutions, Division of Labor, Written Language and Calendar.
1 - Surplus Food
Without surplus food, it will be hard for population to maintain and grow. Growing population and the need for more food will become the driving force for other significant changes also needed for civilization to occur. With advances in farming technology, farmers will be able to work more land in the same amount of time with a greater harvest at the end of the season. As a result, not everyone needs to farm, it frees some up to take on new jobs, this will be discussed further down.
2 - Complex Institutions
Complex institutions are organized structures that control one or more aspect of life. The two main complex institutions are government and/or religion. As previously mentioned, the larger the population the more complex the organizational structure will need to be to meet the groups needs. As a general rule we ask government, and sometimes religions, to provide certain securities for us as citizens. Each time we ask the government to do more for us, it adds to the size of the government. In some early civilizations religion and government may be so intertwined that there is no separation between the two. For ease of reference we will use government in our explanation.
Government will take on the role of the protectors of society (military, police), they will supervise building projects (as many times labor will be slave labor), protector of religious figures and tax collectors.
3- Division of Labor
Division of labor is the evolution of specialized workers. Like hinted at under surplus food, with farmers being able to do more, it frees others to take on new trades/professions. Workers who have areas where they excel will start to focus on and enhance those. Those workers become known are artisans. Others may be more suited to take on rolls as merchants and traders to facilitate the exchange of excess goods for needed items.
4- Writing - Record Keeping
Record keeping first started as a way for priests, who were responsible for keeping track of ceremonies and outcomes of religious rituals to keep the Gods happy. Like many other things during this time frame this would be a trial and error process. Remembering that the religions of the time were based on the belief that the Gods controlled the forces of nature, having multiple Gods, require multiple ceremonies to do just that. If the outcome was not favorable, the priests, not wanting to make the same mistake twice would have to record what had been tried and the extent in which they figured it worked. Eventually these marks or drawings would evolve into a written language. A special class of priests evolved, scribes, who were responsible for mastering the writing and reading of the symbols. Unlike today, where we teach everyone to read and write the language, these written languages were kept secretive. If everyone could read and write the symbols then anyone could do the religious ceremonies and the priests would not be needed.
As governments continue to evolve and as the two institutions become closer in many civilizations, government starts to see the importance of written records. Government likes to keep track of births, deaths, ownership and other business contracts to determine and record tax payments. Governments have been keeping records on us for a very long time.
Overtime writing will eventually become a way to pass down cultural traditions, learning, wisdom, information, ideas and religious beliefs.
5- Calendar
Calendars, the last of the 5 Characteristics, go hand in hand with written language or record keeping. It is important when doing religious rituals that they are done at the right time. A ritual done too soon could cause the river to flood at the wrong time and ruin a season’s crop. This will not be as important once irrigation is developed, but it is still important to know when to plant your crops and how to consistently mark the passage of time. Most calendars created were based on the cycle of the moon.
GROWTH OF CITIES
As already mentioned there are four areas of the world that will develop independently of each other. But they will all have the above characteristics in common as well as others.
All develop around rivers
Again, water is one of the three things humans and animals need for survival, so a consistent water supply is a must. Rivers bring moisture to the land, can be diverted to farm land to water crops, and usually flood once every year depositing silt which rejuvenates the soil. Water brings animals who are also seeking a water supply and fish that can be used for food. Rivers can also be used for transportation of goods, supplies and people.
Government becomes bigger and more structured
As the population increases so does the need for new buildings to be constructed. Government, many time the military will supervising the building of these projects. Project will include clearing land for farming, building irrigation systems for dry times of the year, building of temples and palaces and defense systems to protect the cities from invaders. All of these functions will serve to increase the size and strength of the government.
Again, water is one of the three things humans and animals need for survival, so a consistent water supply is a must. Rivers bring moisture to the land, can be diverted to farm land to water crops, and usually flood once every year depositing silt which rejuvenates the soil. Water brings animals who are also seeking a water supply and fish that can be used for food. Rivers can also be used for transportation of goods, supplies and people.
Government becomes bigger and more structured
As the population increases so does the need for new buildings to be constructed. Government, many time the military will supervising the building of these projects. Project will include clearing land for farming, building irrigation systems for dry times of the year, building of temples and palaces and defense systems to protect the cities from invaders. All of these functions will serve to increase the size and strength of the government.
Religion
Religions that evolve during this early period will continue to be mainly polytheistic. Polytheism is the belief in many Gods and Goddesses usually associated with controlling the forces of nature. As mentioned above it is important for the early peoples to keep these gods happy so nature aids in their survival rather than hinders it. Religions will start to become more structured and filled with rituals to appease and show gratitude to the gods and what they provide. Some of the rituals may involve sacrifices, gifts to the particular god or a celebration. As a result, priests will gain power because they are the ones responsible for carrying out the rituals to keep the gods happy. As government starts to see the importance of record keeping, they will also start to take on powerful positions in the government adding to their power. |
Military
Military will provide defense to the city against outside enemies and act a police force for internal issues. Military leaders will start to make and enforce laws, take on the role of judges and supervise building projects. They will also become our first tax collectors. Since most of the laborers working on building construction at this time will either be slaves, prisoners of war or indentured servants (those paying off debts), the military will also become the motivators to keep unwilling workers working.
Economy
Since money has not been invented at this time, the economy is based upon the barter system. Bartering is the trading of a good or service for something you need. If you are a farmer and during the course of your day you break your shovel; you need a new one. You have the option of building it or trying to trade with someone who is willing to make it for you, and maybe makes better ones that you do. You would take some of your produce to that person and ask if he would be willing to take what you are offering for his services to make you a new shovel. But maybe you don’t have a good to trade. Maybe you are a carpenter and need food for your family. You may offer to build or fix something for a farmer in exchange for food. Taxes would also be paid in terms of a good or service. Those goods would be used to help the government provide a wage to its workers and the military.
Although money has since been invented we still use the barter system today but on a smaller scale. I have had an agreement with my neighbor for the past several years; when I go on vacation they will watch over and feed my dogs. When they go on vacation I do the same for theirs. We are trading services for the thing we need, in this case pet care. It is beneficial for both of us as we trust that each other will look after our pets and we do not have to pay someone to come in a do this for us. If ever you have offered to do something for someone if they would do something else for you, you have bartered for the service. Maybe it’s something as simple as trading chores with a sibling.
Military will provide defense to the city against outside enemies and act a police force for internal issues. Military leaders will start to make and enforce laws, take on the role of judges and supervise building projects. They will also become our first tax collectors. Since most of the laborers working on building construction at this time will either be slaves, prisoners of war or indentured servants (those paying off debts), the military will also become the motivators to keep unwilling workers working.
Economy
Since money has not been invented at this time, the economy is based upon the barter system. Bartering is the trading of a good or service for something you need. If you are a farmer and during the course of your day you break your shovel; you need a new one. You have the option of building it or trying to trade with someone who is willing to make it for you, and maybe makes better ones that you do. You would take some of your produce to that person and ask if he would be willing to take what you are offering for his services to make you a new shovel. But maybe you don’t have a good to trade. Maybe you are a carpenter and need food for your family. You may offer to build or fix something for a farmer in exchange for food. Taxes would also be paid in terms of a good or service. Those goods would be used to help the government provide a wage to its workers and the military.
Although money has since been invented we still use the barter system today but on a smaller scale. I have had an agreement with my neighbor for the past several years; when I go on vacation they will watch over and feed my dogs. When they go on vacation I do the same for theirs. We are trading services for the thing we need, in this case pet care. It is beneficial for both of us as we trust that each other will look after our pets and we do not have to pay someone to come in a do this for us. If ever you have offered to do something for someone if they would do something else for you, you have bartered for the service. Maybe it’s something as simple as trading chores with a sibling.
Development of Social Classes
Over time society starts to change. Those who have what are perceived to be powerful positions within the government, military, or the church start to claim special privileges because of those positions. As a result we start to see divisions within society based upon people’s jobs, skills, perceived wealth or relation to the primary leader. Social classes define a person’s place in society. It’s a change in thinking and feeling from all citizens being equal to an “I’m better than you because….” attitude. Each society will develop their own variations with in society but the graphic shows a basic structure that will be similar to most that will develop.
When reading a pyramid graph, the bigger lower levels represent the majority of the overall population. The higher go on the pyramid a smaller and smaller percentage of the population is represented. We will learn more about social classes in our next unit when we explore the four ancient civilizations.
We still have social classes today. Back then, like today, there really is little movement between classes. Whatever social class we are born in is usually the class we die in. Today, unlike back then, we have the opportunity to better our situation, but very few of us will become the Bill Gates or Steve Jobs of our generation and completely rise to a higher social status. Male children at this time generally take over their parent’s profession or occupation. If your dad was a blacksmith, you would also become a blacksmith. As soon as you were old enough to help out your father in his shop you would be out helping him and start learning skills as you got older.
Over time society starts to change. Those who have what are perceived to be powerful positions within the government, military, or the church start to claim special privileges because of those positions. As a result we start to see divisions within society based upon people’s jobs, skills, perceived wealth or relation to the primary leader. Social classes define a person’s place in society. It’s a change in thinking and feeling from all citizens being equal to an “I’m better than you because….” attitude. Each society will develop their own variations with in society but the graphic shows a basic structure that will be similar to most that will develop.
When reading a pyramid graph, the bigger lower levels represent the majority of the overall population. The higher go on the pyramid a smaller and smaller percentage of the population is represented. We will learn more about social classes in our next unit when we explore the four ancient civilizations.
We still have social classes today. Back then, like today, there really is little movement between classes. Whatever social class we are born in is usually the class we die in. Today, unlike back then, we have the opportunity to better our situation, but very few of us will become the Bill Gates or Steve Jobs of our generation and completely rise to a higher social status. Male children at this time generally take over their parent’s profession or occupation. If your dad was a blacksmith, you would also become a blacksmith. As soon as you were old enough to help out your father in his shop you would be out helping him and start learning skills as you got older.
Assignment: Create a list of societal changes that come about as a result of the growth of cities along with a short description (in your own words) of each. Write a reflection in your class notebook speculating as to why it might be very difficult for one to completely change social classes.
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