Chapter 2Section 1 – Early Agriculture

Key TermsRevolution – a complete change in ways of

thinking, living, or working

Domesticate – Change the growth of plants or behavior of animals in ways that are useful to humans

Surplus - extra

Specialization – act of concentrating on a limited number of goods or activities

The Birth of FarmingPeople adapted to the changing climate by

learning to farm

Modifying the Environment

People learned that if they scattered seeds, plants would grow

Domesticating Plants and Animals

Widespread domestication marked the birth of farming

Domesticated plants became a reliable source of food

Spread of FarmingNo one knows for sure where farming originated

First Centers of AgricultureMost historians believe Southwestern Asia was

the first center of agriculture

Cost and Benefits to Farming

Transition from hunting and gathering to farming was a slow process

Planting crops and herding animals took time and energy

If crops fail due to weather, a family might starve

Continued…Farming produced more food

Required less land

People built permanent homes because of farming

New kinds of ShelterUsed a mixture of mud and straw to form walls

NEW KINDS OF CLOTHINGHunter-Gatherer societies depended on animal

fur, farming brought new materials that were lighter and easier to work with.

Example:FlaxCottonWoolSilk

Surpluses and specialization

As crops and herds improved, farmers could raise a surplus

When there is a surplus, everyone doesn’t need to farm

Those people become specialized workers

Example:Tool makersWeaversmetalworkers

Social OrganizationEarly farmers had to work together

They discuss what to plant, and when to harvest

They discuss how to protect the community

Chapter 2 Section 2Cities and Civilizations

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City of UrukConsidered the worlds first city

Founded around 6,000-7,000 years ago

Uruk had one of the first complex governments

Centers of wealthUruk also had a complex economy

Uruk’s economy was based on faming, and trade

The wealth of the city attracted people to the city

The importance of resources

Early civilizations depended on creating a food surplus

The most important resources were fertile soil, water, and seeds

However, these were not important if there was not people there to manage the resources

Settings of Early Civilizations

Earliest civilizations appear in southwestern Asia

River valleys provide a good setting for permanent settlements

Features of Civilizations Cities

Organized governments

Established religions

Job specialization

Social classes

Public works

Arts and Architecture

System of writing

CitiesEarly cities emerged near farming centers

Food surplus led to population growth

Cities were centers of religion, government, and culture

Organized GovernmentGovernment managed cities resources

Formed and trained armies

Established ReligionReligion was linked to government

Rulers usually claimed their right to rule from their gods

Job Specialization Most people were farmers

Priest specialized in religious practice

Rulers and soldiers specialized in keeping peace and protecting the city

Merchants specialized in buying and selling goods

Social ClassesClass structure resembles a pyramid

Small number of people with the most power at the top

Largest number of people with the least power at the bottom

Social ClassesHighest class

Priest and rulers

Middle Class

Farmers, Merchants, and Skilled workers

Lowest Class

Slaves

Public WorksGovernment Projects

Road workWater systemCity wallsGranaries

System of WritingEarly writing system was used to record

numbers

Eventually they recorded laws, prayers, and described their rulers