world history chapter 2 early river valley civilizations

World HistoryWorld History

Chapter 2Chapter 2

Early River Valley CivilizationsEarly River Valley Civilizations

Let’s Preview the Chapter…Let’s Preview the Chapter…

What do you know about large rivers What do you know about large rivers and the land that borders Dublin, and the land that borders Dublin, Georgia or even the state of Georgia?Georgia or even the state of Georgia?

Do many people live by these large Do many people live by these large rivers? Why? Or Why not?rivers? Why? Or Why not?

How would their lives be different if How would their lives be different if they didn’t have rivers?they didn’t have rivers?

Let’s Preview the Chapter…Let’s Preview the Chapter…

You will learn about very early You will learn about very early societies. These people had few societies. These people had few models upon which to build their models upon which to build their civilizations. Their response to their civilizations. Their response to their environment, to organizing their social environment, to organizing their social system, and to finding technological system, and to finding technological solutions to everyday problems solutions to everyday problems formed a foundation for most of the formed a foundation for most of the societies that followed them.societies that followed them.

Previewing Main Ideas pg. Previewing Main Ideas pg. 2626

What rivers helped sustain the four What rivers helped sustain the four river civilizations?river civilizations?

In which empire and river valley area In which empire and river valley area was the first code of laws developed?was the first code of laws developed?

Which river valley civilization was the Which river valley civilization was the most isolated? What factors most isolated? What factors contributed to that isolation?contributed to that isolation?

Timeline Discussion pgs. 26-Timeline Discussion pgs. 26-2727

What is the meaning of B.C. and A.D. What is the meaning of B.C. and A.D. before or after a date?before or after a date?

How many years passed between the How many years passed between the development of the first city-states development of the first city-states and the formation of China’s Zhou and the formation of China’s Zhou Dynasty?Dynasty?

What famous code of laws developed What famous code of laws developed in 1792 B.C.?in 1792 B.C.?

Timeline DiscussionTimeline Discussion

The earliest event shown on the time The earliest event shown on the time line occurred how many years before line occurred how many years before the present?the present?

Section 1 VocabularySection 1 Vocabulary

Fertile CrescentFertile Crescent – the – the Mesopotamian region with a curved Mesopotamian region with a curved shape and richness of its land led to shape and richness of its land led to its being called a fertile crescent.its being called a fertile crescent.

This area includes the lands facing This area includes the lands facing the Mediterranean Sea and a plain the Mediterranean Sea and a plain that became known as Mesopotamia. that became known as Mesopotamia. The word in greek means “land The word in greek means “land between rivers”. (Tigris and between rivers”. (Tigris and Euphrates)Euphrates)


MesopotamiaMesopotamia – land between the – land between the rivers.rivers.

The The TigrisTigris and and EuphratesEuphrates Rivers flow Rivers flow southeastward to the Persian Gulf.southeastward to the Persian Gulf.

These rivers flooded Mesopotamia at These rivers flooded Mesopotamia at least once a year.least once a year.

The flood water left a thick bed of mud The flood water left a thick bed of mud called silt. Farmers used this rich soil called silt. Farmers used this rich soil and river water to yield large quantities and river water to yield large quantities of wheat and barley.of wheat and barley.


Tigris and Euphrates RiversTigris and Euphrates Rivers


City-StateCity-State – functioned as an – functioned as an independent country of today does.independent country of today does.

Sumerian city-states included Uruk, Sumerian city-states included Uruk, Kish, Lagash, Umma and Ur.Kish, Lagash, Umma and Ur.


DynastyDynasty – military leaders who – military leaders who became full time rulers passed down became full time rulers passed down their power to their sons, who would their power to their sons, who would eventually pass down power to their eventually pass down power to their heirs.heirs.

This series of rulers from a single This series of rulers from a single family is called a family is called a dynastydynasty..


Cultural DiffusionCultural Diffusion – the exchanging – the exchanging of products and ideas with of products and ideas with neighboring cultures. A new product neighboring cultures. A new product or idea spreads from one culture to or idea spreads from one culture to another. another.

Polytheism Polytheism – The belief in more – The belief in more than one god.than one god.


EmpireEmpire – brings together several – brings together several peoples, nations, or previously peoples, nations, or previously independent states under the control of independent states under the control of one ruler.one ruler.

HammurabiHammurabi – a Babylonian king who – a Babylonian king who caused Babylon to reach its peak during caused Babylon to reach its peak during his reign from 1792 BC to 1750 BC.his reign from 1792 BC to 1750 BC.

His most enduring legacy is the code of His most enduring legacy is the code of laws he put together called the laws he put together called the Code of Code of HammurabiHammurabi..


HammurabiHammurabi

Section 1 Study QuestionSection 1 Study Question

The lands that made up the Fertile The lands that made up the Fertile Crescent region faced the Crescent region faced the Mediterranean Sea. The land itself is Mediterranean Sea. The land itself is made up of a plain that is located made up of a plain that is located directly between the Tigris and directly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.Euphrates Rivers.


The importance of the The importance of the Tigris and Tigris and Euphrates RiversEuphrates Rivers was the yearly was the yearly flooding that they both did which left flooding that they both did which left a thick layer of muddy soil that a thick layer of muddy soil that contained fertilized dirt called silt.contained fertilized dirt called silt.

Farmers planted grain in this rich new Farmers planted grain in this rich new soil and irrigated fields with the river soil and irrigated fields with the river water.water.

The results were large yields of wheat The results were large yields of wheat and barley.and barley.

Section 1 Study QuestionSection 1 Study Question Three environmental challengesThree environmental challenges for for

the people who began to settle in the the people who began to settle in the Mesopotamian:Mesopotamian:

Unpredictable flooding combined with a Unpredictable flooding combined with a period of little or no rain. The land period of little or no rain. The land sometimes almost became a desert.sometimes almost became a desert.

With no natural barriers for protection, a With no natural barriers for protection, a Sumerian village was nearly defenseless.Sumerian village was nearly defenseless.

The natural resources of Sumer were The natural resources of Sumer were limited. Building materials and other limited. Building materials and other necessary items were scarce.necessary items were scarce.

Section 1 Study QuestionSection 1 Study Question The Sumer people overcame these The Sumer people overcame these

challenges bychallenges by:: For water they dug irrigation ditches that For water they dug irrigation ditches that

carried river water to their fields and carried river water to their fields and allowed them to produce a surplus of crops.allowed them to produce a surplus of crops.

For defense they built city walls with mud For defense they built city walls with mud bricks.bricks.

Sumerians traded grain, cloth, and crafted Sumerians traded grain, cloth, and crafted tools with the peoples of the mountains and tools with the peoples of the mountains and desert. In exchange, they received raw desert. In exchange, they received raw materials such as stone, wood, and metal.materials such as stone, wood, and metal.


A A city-statecity-state functioned much like a functioned much like a present day country does today.present day country does today.

Military leaders gained power in Military leaders gained power in the city-statesthe city-states by frequent wars by frequent wars that led the Sumerians to give that led the Sumerians to give military leaders control of standing military leaders control of standing armies. These leaders eventually armies. These leaders eventually took political power.took political power.


SumeriansSumerians believed that many different believed that many different gods controlled the forces of nature.gods controlled the forces of nature.

Sumerians Sumerians gave human qualities to gave human qualities to their gods such as falling in love, having their gods such as falling in love, having children, quarreling, etc.children, quarreling, etc.

SumeriansSumerians build impressive ziggurats build impressive ziggurats for the sacrifice of animals, wine and for the sacrifice of animals, wine and food.food.

SumeriansSumerians worked hard to earn their worked hard to earn their gods’ protection.gods’ protection.


Sumerians Sumerians believed that the souls believed that the souls of the dead went to the “land of no of the dead went to the “land of no return”. (a place between the Earth’s return”. (a place between the Earth’s crust and the ancient sea)crust and the ancient sea)

22ndnd Question: Question: SumeriansSumerians had social had social classes which went from the noble classes which went from the noble (kings and rulers) to slaves.(kings and rulers) to slaves.


The The Sumerians Sumerians invented the wheel, invented the wheel, sail and plow and were the first to use sail and plow and were the first to use bronze.bronze.

Some other Some other Sumerian inventionsSumerian inventions were: were:

Arithmetic and geometryArithmetic and geometry Architectural innovations such as Architectural innovations such as

arches, columns, ramps, pyramids.arches, columns, ramps, pyramids. Cuneiform – a system of writing.Cuneiform – a system of writing.


An Empire differs from a city-An Empire differs from a city-statestate because a city-state controls because a city-state controls only a city and its surrounding only a city and its surrounding territory, whereas an empire controls territory, whereas an empire controls many peoples, nations, and states.many peoples, nations, and states.

Section 1 Study QuestionSection 1 Study Question Sargon of AkkadSargon of Akkad was a conqueror, ruler, was a conqueror, ruler,

and renowned military leader who defeated and renowned military leader who defeated the city-states of Sumer.the city-states of Sumer.

SargonSargon marched his army from Akkad to marched his army from Akkad to Sumer.Sumer.

The Akkadians had already adopted many of The Akkadians had already adopted many of the Sumerian cultural traits before the the Sumerian cultural traits before the conquest.conquest.

By taking control of the both northern and By taking control of the both northern and southern Mesopotamia-he created the world’s southern Mesopotamia-he created the world’s first empire. His first empire. His dynastydynasty lasted 200 years. lasted 200 years.


The value of making the The value of making the punishments for crimes in punishments for crimes in Hammurabi’s Code public to all was Hammurabi’s Code public to all was so that all could know the severity of so that all could know the severity of the punishments and this might the punishments and this might cause prevention of people breaking cause prevention of people breaking the law.the law.


Hammurabi’s Code of Law advanced Hammurabi’s Code of Law advanced civilizations because it established a civilizations because it established a uniform law code for his empire.uniform law code for his empire.

It also reinforced the idea that It also reinforced the idea that government had a responsibility to government had a responsibility to its citizens.its citizens.


DeltaDelta – a broad, marshy, triangular – a broad, marshy, triangular area of land formed by deposits of area of land formed by deposits of silt at the mouth of the river.silt at the mouth of the river.

The The Nile Delta Nile Delta begins about 100 begins about 100 miles before the river enters the miles before the river enters the Mediterranean Sea.Mediterranean Sea.


NarmerNarmer – the Egyptian king given credit – the Egyptian king given credit for uniting Upper and Lower Egypt into for uniting Upper and Lower Egypt into one kingdom.one kingdom.

Historical evidence shows that the king of Historical evidence shows that the king of Lower Egypt wore a red crown, and the Lower Egypt wore a red crown, and the king of Upper Egypt wore a white crown. king of Upper Egypt wore a white crown. NarmerNarmer is said to have worn a crown is said to have worn a crown that was red on one side and white on that was red on one side and white on the other, showing unity of the two the other, showing unity of the two kingdoms.kingdoms.


PharaohPharaoh – Egyptian god kings who – Egyptian god kings who were thought to be almost as splendid were thought to be almost as splendid and powerful as the gods of the and powerful as the gods of the heavens.heavens.

TheThe pharaoh pharaoh stood at the center of stood at the center of Egypt’s religion, government and army.Egypt’s religion, government and army.

The Egyptian’s felt that is was the The Egyptian’s felt that is was the pharaoh’spharaoh’s responsibility to see to the responsibility to see to the kingdom’s well-being.kingdom’s well-being.


The Egyptian’s felt that the The Egyptian’s felt that the pharaohpharaoh caused the sun to rise, the Nile to caused the sun to rise, the Nile to flood, and the crops to grow.flood, and the crops to grow.

It was the It was the pharaoh’spharaoh’s duty to duty to promote justice and truth.promote justice and truth.


TheocracyTheocracy – type of government in – type of government in which rule is based on religious which rule is based on religious authority.authority.

PyramidPyramid – a resting place after death. – a resting place after death. These remarkable monuments were These remarkable monuments were

engineering achievements, built by engineering achievements, built by people who had not yet even began to people who had not yet even began to use the wheel.use the wheel.


MummificationMummification – the process by – the process by which elite or royal Egyptians’ bodies which elite or royal Egyptians’ bodies were preserved. The bodies would were preserved. The bodies would be embalmed and dried to prevent it be embalmed and dried to prevent it from decaying.from decaying.


HieroglyphicsHieroglyphics – simple – simple pictographs. The term comes from pictographs. The term comes from the Greek words the Greek words hieros hieros and and gluph, gluph, meaning sacred carving.meaning sacred carving.

With this type of writing, a picture With this type of writing, a picture stands for a word or idea, just as with stands for a word or idea, just as with the Sumerians and cunieform.the Sumerians and cunieform.


PapyrusPapyrus – a writing surface created – a writing surface created by the Egyptians made from papyrus by the Egyptians made from papyrus reeds.reeds.

These reeds grow in the marshy Nile These reeds grow in the marshy Nile delta. The reeds are split into narrow delta. The reeds are split into narrow strips and placed in two layers while strips and placed in two layers while damp, and pressed. As the plant’s damp, and pressed. As the plant’s sap dries, the sap sticks the sheets sap dries, the sap sticks the sheets together into a paper-like sheet.together into a paper-like sheet.


Egypt is referred to as the “Egypt is referred to as the “Gift of the Gift of the NileNile” because just as in Mesopotamia, the ” because just as in Mesopotamia, the Nile brought yearly flooding in July from rain Nile brought yearly flooding in July from rain and melting snow from the mountains which and melting snow from the mountains which cause to river to exceed its banks.cause to river to exceed its banks.

In an otherwise parched land, the In an otherwise parched land, the abundance of water brought great farming abundance of water brought great farming opportunities. The Egyptians worshipped opportunities. The Egyptians worshipped the river as a god who gave life and the river as a god who gave life and sometimes took life. Therefore it was sometimes took life. Therefore it was nicknamed the “nicknamed the “Gift of the NileGift of the Nile”.”.


The difference between the flooding The difference between the flooding of the Nile in Egypt and the Tigris of the Nile in Egypt and the Tigris and Euphrates in Mesopotamia is and Euphrates in Mesopotamia is that the Nile flooded with greater that the Nile flooded with greater regularity than the others.regularity than the others.


The environmental risks that the The environmental risks that the Egyptians faced were far better than Egyptians faced were far better than those of the Mesopotamian farmers since those of the Mesopotamian farmers since the flooding of the Nile River was more the flooding of the Nile River was more predictable.predictable.

However there were still risks such as:However there were still risks such as: When flood waters were a little lower than When flood waters were a little lower than

normal, the amount of fresh silt and water normal, the amount of fresh silt and water for crops was greatly reduced. As a for crops was greatly reduced. As a result, people starved.result, people starved.


When floodwaters were a few feet above When floodwaters were a few feet above flood level, the unwanted water flood level, the unwanted water destroyed houses, granaries, and seeds.destroyed houses, granaries, and seeds.

The vast desert on either side of Egypt The vast desert on either side of Egypt acted as natural barriers between Egypt acted as natural barriers between Egypt and other lands. This forced Egyptians and other lands. This forced Egyptians to live on a small piece of land and not to live on a small piece of land and not have interaction with other people.have interaction with other people.


Cataracts Cataracts are the point in the Nile are the point in the Nile River in interior Africa where boulders River in interior Africa where boulders turn the river into churning rapids.turn the river into churning rapids.

These These cataractscataracts made it impossible made it impossible for riverboats to pass this spot.for riverboats to pass this spot.

The two regions that lay between the The two regions that lay between the cataracts cataracts is Upper Egypt and Lower is Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt.Egypt.


Upper Egypt Upper Egypt – the Nile River region – the Nile River region that is in the southern part of Egypt. that is in the southern part of Egypt. The elevation of the land is higher The elevation of the land is higher here which is why it is called upper. here which is why it is called upper. It is a skinny strip of land from the It is a skinny strip of land from the first cataract to the point where the first cataract to the point where the river fans out into many branches.river fans out into many branches.


Lower Egypt Lower Egypt – is to the North near – is to the North near the Mediterranean Sea. Lower Egypt the Mediterranean Sea. Lower Egypt includes the Nile Delta region.includes the Nile Delta region.


The difference between the Old, The difference between the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms of Middle, and New Kingdoms of Egypt:Egypt:

Old KingdomOld Kingdom – (2700 – 2200 BC) – (2700 – 2200 BC) Pharaohs had absolute power and Pharaohs had absolute power and were considered gods on Earth. were considered gods on Earth. Pharaohs were buried in pyramids Pharaohs were buried in pyramids only during this time period.only during this time period.


Middle Kingdom Middle Kingdom – (2100 to 1800 – (2100 to 1800 BC) This was considered as Egypt’s BC) This was considered as Egypt’s “Golden Age”. Trade, arts and “Golden Age”. Trade, arts and literature flourished. Pharaoh’s were literature flourished. Pharaoh’s were expected to be good kings and wise expected to be good kings and wise rulers.rulers.

During this time pharaoh’s were During this time pharaoh’s were buried in hidden locations, not in buried in hidden locations, not in large pyramids.large pyramids.


New Kingdom – New Kingdom – (1500 to 1000 BC) (1500 to 1000 BC) Egypt’s expansion period. Egypt Egypt’s expansion period. Egypt expanded her borders through expanded her borders through military conquest and became a military conquest and became a world power. world power.

Pharaoh’s were all powerful and were Pharaoh’s were all powerful and were buried in one geographic location buried in one geographic location called the “Valley of the Kings”.called the “Valley of the Kings”.


SubcontinentSubcontinent – the landmass that – the landmass that includes India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.includes India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

These countries make up the Indian These countries make up the Indian subcontinent.subcontinent.

A wall of the world’s highest mountains A wall of the world’s highest mountains separates this region from the rest of the separates this region from the rest of the Asian continent.Asian continent.

The mountains are the Hindu Kush, The mountains are the Hindu Kush, Karakorum, and the Himalayas.Karakorum, and the Himalayas.


MonsoonMonsoon – seasonal winds that – seasonal winds that dominated India’s climate.dominated India’s climate.

From October to February, winter From October to February, winter monsoons from the northeast blow dry air monsoons from the northeast blow dry air westward across the country.westward across the country.

From the middle of June through October, From the middle of June through October, the winds shift and blow eastward from the winds shift and blow eastward from the southwest, carrying moisture from the the southwest, carrying moisture from the ocean in great rain clouds.ocean in great rain clouds.


Harappan CivilizationHarappan Civilization – – settlements along the Indus River settlements along the Indus River and its tributaries mostly in what is and its tributaries mostly in what is modern-day Pakistan.modern-day Pakistan.

The largest cities were Kalibangan, The largest cities were Kalibangan, Mahenjo-Daro and Harappa.Mahenjo-Daro and Harappa.


The mountains and deserts made The mountains and deserts made good forms of protection for the good forms of protection for the people of the Indus Valley people of the Indus Valley civilization.civilization.

The rivers provided water and fertile The rivers provided water and fertile soil.soil.

Section 3 Study QuestionSection 3 Study Question The geography of the Indian Subcontinent consists of The geography of the Indian Subcontinent consists of

the world’s tallest mountains to the north and a large the world’s tallest mountains to the north and a large desert to the east which helps to protect from desert to the east which helps to protect from invasions.invasions.

The mountains guard and enormous flat and fertile The mountains guard and enormous flat and fertile plain formed by the Ganges and Indus Rivers.plain formed by the Ganges and Indus Rivers.

Much of the lower Indus Valley is occupied by the Thar Much of the lower Indus Valley is occupied by the Thar DesertDesert

The southern part of he subcontinent is a peninsula The southern part of he subcontinent is a peninsula that thrusts out into the Indian Ocean.that thrusts out into the Indian Ocean.

The center of the peninsula is the Deccan Plateau The center of the peninsula is the Deccan Plateau which is framed by a small mountain range called the which is framed by a small mountain range called the Ghats.Ghats.


The environmental challenges that Indus The environmental challenges that Indus River Valley farmers faced were: River Valley farmers faced were:

Just as the Sumerian civilization, floods of Just as the Sumerian civilization, floods of the rivers were unpredictable.the rivers were unpredictable.

The rivers sometimes changed course.The rivers sometimes changed course. The cycle of wet and dry seasons brought The cycle of wet and dry seasons brought

by the monsoon winds was unpredictable. by the monsoon winds was unpredictable. Too little rain equaled withered plants. Too little rain equaled withered plants. Too much rain swept away whole villages.Too much rain swept away whole villages.


They built a lot of their cities with They built a lot of their cities with sun dried mud bricks.sun dried mud bricks.

They built strong levees or earthen They built strong levees or earthen walls to keep the water out of their walls to keep the water out of their cities, elaborate plumbing and cities, elaborate plumbing and sewage systems, aqueducts.sewage systems, aqueducts.

They also built many other buildings They also built many other buildings and structures. and structures.


The cities of the early Mesopotamians The cities of the early Mesopotamians were a jumble of buildings connected to a were a jumble of buildings connected to a maze of winding streets. The buildings maze of winding streets. The buildings were made of irregular, sun-dried bricks.were made of irregular, sun-dried bricks.

The cities of the Indus Valley civilizations The cities of the Indus Valley civilizations were more sophisticated in that they were were more sophisticated in that they were planned. The cities were laid out on grids. planned. The cities were laid out on grids. Cities had fortified areas called citadels. Cities had fortified areas called citadels. Bricks were made of oven-dried bricks and Bricks were made of oven-dried bricks and were cut in standard sizes.were cut in standard sizes.


The Harappan planning had city The Harappan planning had city plumbing. The city was partially built on plumbing. The city was partially built on mud-brick platforms for protection from mud-brick platforms for protection from flooding. Streets were as wide as 30 feet. flooding. Streets were as wide as 30 feet.

Walls divided residential areas.Walls divided residential areas. Houses varied in size. They also featured Houses varied in size. They also featured

bathrooms where wastewater flowed out bathrooms where wastewater flowed out to the street and then to sewage pits to the street and then to sewage pits outside the city walls.outside the city walls.


Harappan civilization contained a Harappan civilization contained a unique language, culture traits, unique language, culture traits, religion, and trade patterns.religion, and trade patterns.

The Harappans developed a written The Harappans developed a written language. In comparison to the language. In comparison to the Sumerian cuneiform and the Sumerian cuneiform and the Egyptian hieroglyphics, the Harappan Egyptian hieroglyphics, the Harappan language has been impossible to language has been impossible to decipher.decipher.


Harappan housing suggests that Harappan housing suggests that social divisions were not great.social divisions were not great.

Artifacts such as clay and wooden Artifacts such as clay and wooden children’s toys suggest a prosperous children’s toys suggest a prosperous society that could afford to produce society that could afford to produce non-essential goods.non-essential goods.

Animal artifacts suggest that they Animal artifacts suggest that they were important.were important.


Harappan rulers had close ties to Harappan rulers had close ties to religion. They had theocracies as religion. They had theocracies as their form of government.their form of government.

Harappans conducted thriving trade Harappans conducted thriving trade with other people in the region.with other people in the region.


Things that may have contributed to the Things that may have contributed to the decline of the Indus Valley culture were:decline of the Indus Valley culture were:

Continental plate movement may have Continental plate movement may have caused the shifts under the surface which caused the shifts under the surface which caused earthquakes and floods and caused earthquakes and floods and altered the course of the Indus River.altered the course of the Indus River.

These shifts may have caused other These shifts may have caused other smaller rivers in the region to dry up, smaller rivers in the region to dry up, which affected trade by water.which affected trade by water.


Indus Valley agriculture may have Indus Valley agriculture may have been affected as a result of soil that been affected as a result of soil that was exhausted by overuse.was exhausted by overuse.

Section 4 Vocabulary

Loess – yellowish silt from the banks of the Huang He or Yellow River flooding its banks.

The silt is actually fertile soil called loess.

This fertilized soil is blown by the winds from deserts to the west and north.


Oracle bones – animals bones and tortoise shells on which priests had scratched questions for the gods.

After questions were inscribed on a bone, a priest applied a hot poker to it, which caused it to crack. The priests then interpreted the cracks to see how the god answered.


Mandate of Heaven – divine approval obtained by just rulers.

The concept of the mandate was that royal authority came from heaven.

A wicked or foolish king could lose the Mandate of Heaven and so lose the right to rule.

The Mandate of Heaven became central to the Chinese view of government.


Dynastic Cycle – the pattern of the rise, decline, and replacement of dynasties.

Complete Dynastic Cycle Activity. Feudalism – a political system in

which nobles owe loyalty and military service to the king and protection to the people who live on their estates.

Section 4 Study Question

The environmental challenges of China were of course just as every other river civilization: Floods

The Huang He’s floods could be disastrous. Sometimes floods devoured whole villages, earning them the nickname “China’s Sorrow”.

Because of China’s isolation from the rest of Asia, early settlers had to supply their own goods rather than trading with outside people.

China’s natural boundaries did not completely protect these settlers from outsiders.


China’s environmental challenges compared to those of the Indus Valley because both had unpredictable and disastrous floods. China’s natural barriers effectively limited trade.


Peking Man is a fossil of the remains of a Homo erectus skeleton that was found in southwest China 1.7 million years ago.


The significance of the first legendary dynasty of China which was the Xia Dynasty /had a leader that was an engineer and mathematician named Yu.

His flood control and irrigation projects helped tame the Huang He or Yellow River and its tributaries so that settlements could grow.

This legend reflects the level of technology of a society making the transition to a civilization.


The The Shang Dynasty Shang Dynasty was the first family was the first family of Chinese rulers to leave written records. of Chinese rulers to leave written records.

The The ShangShang kings built elaborate palaces kings built elaborate palaces and tombs. and tombs.

The cities in the The cities in the Shang Dynasty Shang Dynasty compare compare to those of the Indus Valley and to those of the Indus Valley and Mesopotamia in that they all surrounded Mesopotamia in that they all surrounded their cities with protective walls.their cities with protective walls.


The roles of The roles of women in Sumer women in Sumer civilization civilization gave them the right to gave them the right to work as merchants, farmers, or work as merchants, farmers, or artisans. They could also have artisans. They could also have property in their own name. Women property in their own name. Women could also be priests. Some upper could also be priests. Some upper class women learned to read and write. class women learned to read and write. Sumerian women had more rights than Sumerian women had more rights than women in later civilizations. women in later civilizations.


The roles of women in the The roles of women in the Egyptian Egyptian society society held the same rights as held the same rights as men, such as wealthy or middle-class men, such as wealthy or middle-class women could own or trade property. women could own or trade property. They could propose marriage or seek They could propose marriage or seek divorce and if she received a divorce divorce and if she received a divorce she could receive 1/3 of the couple’s she could receive 1/3 of the couple’s property.property.


Women in the Women in the Chinese society Chinese society were were treated as inferiors. They were treated as inferiors. They were expected to obey their fathers, their expected to obey their fathers, their husbands and later their own sons. husbands and later their own sons. When a girl was between 13 and 16 When a girl was between 13 and 16 years old, her marriage was arranged years old, her marriage was arranged and she moved into the house of her and she moved into the house of her husband. Only by bearing sons for her husband. Only by bearing sons for her husband’s family could she hope to husband’s family could she hope to improve her status.improve her status.


The most important aspects of The most important aspects of Chinese culture were:Chinese culture were:

Family was central to Chinese Family was central to Chinese society.society.

Social classesSocial classes Religious beliefsReligious beliefs Development of writingDevelopment of writing


One major advantage One major advantage of Chinese writing was of Chinese writing was that people in all parts of China could learn the that people in all parts of China could learn the same system of writing, even if their spoken same system of writing, even if their spoken languages were very different. The Chinese languages were very different. The Chinese language helped unify a large and diverse land language helped unify a large and diverse land and made control much easier.and made control much easier.

The The disadvantagedisadvantage of the Chinese system was of the Chinese system was the enormous number of written characters to be the enormous number of written characters to be memorized. There was a different character for memorized. There was a different character for each unit of language. A person needed to know each unit of language. A person needed to know over 1500 characters to be barely literate.over 1500 characters to be barely literate.


The Zhou (joh) Dynasty replaced the The Zhou (joh) Dynasty replaced the Shang Dynasty.Shang Dynasty.

They kept much of the Shang culture, They kept much of the Shang culture, therefore there was no sweeping cultural therefore there was no sweeping cultural change.change.

To justify their conquest, the Zhou leaders To justify their conquest, the Zhou leaders declared that the final Shang king had declared that the final Shang king had been such a poor ruler that the gods had been such a poor ruler that the gods had taken away the Shang’s rule and given it taken away the Shang’s rule and given it to the Zhou.to the Zhou.


The The Mandate of Heaven Mandate of Heaven helped helped explain the cycle of rise, decline, and explain the cycle of rise, decline, and replacement of dynasties.replacement of dynasties.


The Zhou made the following The Zhou made the following improvements in technology and improvements in technology and trade:trade:

Built roads and canals to stimulate Built roads and canals to stimulate trade and agriculture.trade and agriculture.

Coined money which further Coined money which further improved trade.improved trade.

Blast furnaces that produced cast Blast furnaces that produced cast iron.iron.


The Zhou Dynasty came to a The Zhou Dynasty came to a decline because gradually decline because gradually their rule weakened.their rule weakened.

In 771 BC nomads from the In 771 BC nomads from the north and west sacked the north and west sacked the Zhou capital and murdered Zhou capital and murdered the Zhou monarch.the Zhou monarch.

world history chapter 2 early river valley civilizations

Documents

large rivers

mesopotamia land

river civilizations

euphrates slide

euphrates rivers flow

vocabulary slide

river valley area

early societies