CONTENT STATEMENT
- Early civilizations (India, Egypt, China and Mesopotamia) had unique governments, economic systems, social structures, religions, technologies, and agricultural practices and products. The cultural practices and products of these early civilizations can be used to help understand the Eastern Hemisphere today.
CONTENT ELABORATION
Favorable geographic characteristics, including locations in river valleys, promoted the growth of early civilizations. River valleys provided sources of water, habitat for plants and animals, means of transportation, protection from invasions, and access to natural resources.
While the early river civilizations in India, Egypt, China, and Mesopotamia reflected the common features of civilization, each one developed unique attributes:
- Government: Governments gradually developed to address issues including irrigation and trade.
- Religion: Early civilizations also developed religious beliefs to help explain the world around them.
- Agriculture: Rivers provided a water source that enriched the soil and enabled the harvesting and planting of crops (e.g., agricultural products such as wheat and barley in Egypt, rice and tea in China, and practices such as irrigation systems). In addition to agricultural benefits, rivers also provided means of transportation, protection from invasions, and provided access to natural resources.
- Technology: New technologies were developed such as irrigation systems, roads, and other public works. These lead to the growth of cities. Early river civilizations developed writing systems to help keep track of crops, seasons, commerce and governmental affairs.
- Economic System: Because of crop surpluses, not all people had to farm; therefore, people began to produce different products for use and trade. As a result, cities were established as centers of production and commerce.
- Social Structure: Social structures were developed with people ranked in classes according to their jobs.
These civilizations left enduring legacies that are reflected in the cultural practices and products of the modern Eastern Hemisphere.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Compare the six cultural practices and products of the early civilizations.
Identify the enduring influences of the six cultural practices and products on cultures today.