CHAPTERS 1-4 ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
• SSWH1 THE STUDENT WILL ANALYZE THE ORIGINS, STRUCTURES, AND INTERACTIONS
OF COMPLEX SOCIETIES IN THE ANCIENT Eastern Mediterranean from 3500 BC
to 500 BC
MESOPOTAMIA
THE EARLIEST RIVER CIVILIZATIONS
STANDARD 1. DESCRIBE THE DEVELOPMENT OF MESOPOTAMIAN SOCIETIES INCLUDING THE RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, AND POLITICAL FACETS OF SOCIETY INCLUDING HAMMURABI’S LAW CODE;
***** Mesopotamia means “land between two rivers (Tigris and Euphrates), and today this land area is called Iraq.
People settled here (4500-3300 B.C.) because of the fertile soil for farming purposes
Economics- People like the Sumerians had grain, cloth, and crafted tools which they traded with others for resources and materials they did not have.
Culture and Religion- Most people during this time were polytheistic Migration- villages combined through migration or through force of war and
the result was cultural diffusion and assimilation. Governments- Many early governments were controlled by priests. Later
on, military leaders became government leaders. These military leaders eventually passed on their rule to their sons and this led to the formation of dynasties.
THE FIRST LAWS The first laws (1800 B.C.) were God’s laws represented by
His covenant( agreement or pact) with Abraham. This was the beginning of the religion of Judaism.
This covenant was a set of 600 + laws that regulated every aspect of life and acted as a guide to proper living. Around 1796 B.C. Hammurabi’s Code developed. Hammurabi was a Babylonian king who developed a uniform system of laws to unify the diverse groups within his empire; 282 specific laws dealing with every aspect of life. Even though the code applied to everyone, it set different punishments for the rich and poor, men and women.
Around 1200 B.C. God gave Moses the 10 Commandments and these served as the basis for religious and civil laws of Judaism
Importance of Writing Cave paintings Earliest form of
writing Primarily based on
religion Recorded events of
daily life Recorded history Kept accurate
record of taxes
Importance of Writing Hieroglyphics
EgyptSymbols stand for words or soundsRosetta Stone
Importance of Writing Cuneiform
Syrians and Babylonians
“wedge”- shaped tool used on soft clay
Few artifacts have survived
Importance of Writing Phoenician
alphabetSymbols represent
soundsEasier to learn-
increased literacyAdopted by the
GreeksLater the Arabic (our
alphabet)
Importance of Writing Phoenician
alphabetSymbols represent
soundsEasier to learn-
increased literacyAdopted by the
GreeksLater the Arabic (our
alphabet)
•RELIGION AND DEVELOPMENT
•Most villages and civilizations in ancient times were polytheistic; for example, the Egyptians whose pharaohs were considered god-kings and had all political and religious authority.•Around 1900 B.C. God made a covenant with Abraham and this is the beginning of the religion called Judaism. •Abraham is considered “the Father” of Judaism. •On God’s command, Abraham moved to Canaan which is present day Israel.•The Jewish sacred text is called “The Torah” which is the first 5 books of the Old Testament.•Followers of Judaism try to live a strict moral life adhering to the 10 Commandments and the covenant with Abraham
Zoroaster- Persian philosopher ? = Why should so much pain and suffering
exist in the world? Zoroastrianism- monotheistic religion
Earth is a battle ground between good and evil
People take place in the struggle Their god will judge people at the end of time Ideas of Satan and angels are found in
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Some in Iran and India still follow this faith
INDUS RIVER CIVILIZATIONS
Natural barriers for protection Largest Mountains (Himalayan Mountains ) to
the north Large desert to the east
River Valleys Ganges flows into the Bay of Bengal and the
Indus flows into the Arabian Sea Carry water for irrigation and silt for
fertilization
Indus Valley Maps
This i
s it!
Ganges River
Indus River
FertileRiver Valley
More about the Indus Valley
Sometimes called Harappan civilizations Very advanced cities (grid plans, raised
land, plumbing system) Language= over 400 symbols- hard to
decipher Trade and religion are believed to have
been important Probably ended due to drought or
damaged soil and Aryan invasions
The Indo-Europeans Nomads from between the Black and
Caspian seas- Horses, Chariots, animal herders Divided into different language groups
English, Sanskrit, Persian, Spanish, German Why might they have migrated???
Aryans:The Caste/Varna System
Social structure Very strict- no upward movement Three original social classes
Brahmins- priests Warriors Peasants and traders
Interaction with others led to more Shudras- laborers who did work the Aryans did
not want to do Varna= skin color
ARYAN CASTE SYSTEM
Hinduism Moksha- Hindu belief in release from this
world
Reincarnation- rebirth of a soul or spirit until moksha is achieved
Karma- good or bad deeds
Terms to know about Buddhism Buddha- Enlightened one Enlightenment- wisdom Nirvana- release of selfishness and pain Four Noble Truths
Suffering and sorrow Selfish desires cause the suffering End desires will end suffering Follow the eight fold path
India’s First EmpireMauryan Ancient India- area was divided
into small kingdoms Chandragupta Maurya was a
great military general who seized power and began the Mauryan Empire.
Chandragupta fought the Greek general Seleucus I (Alexander’s general who inherited this land) and defeated him.
India’s First EmpireMauryan Ancient India- area was divided
into small kingdoms Chandragupta Maurya was a
great military general who seized power and began the Mauryan Empire.
Chandragupta fought the Greek general Seleucus I (Alexander’s general who inherited this land) and defeated him.
Trade Spreads Indian Religions and Culture
Buddhism Focus in past= strive for Nirvana Buddha did not desire to be worshipped-
this was after his death New focus= good works in place of
Nirvan- this offered salvation to all Hinduism
Focus in past= polytheism, priests had contact with the gods
New focus= trend toward monotheism, which helped it have growth and more appeal
Chinese River CivilizationsUnification, Culture, Dynasties and Empires
CHINA:FIRST CIVILIZATIONS DEVELOPED AROUND THE YELLOW RIVERSHANG DYNASTY – 1700 B.C.-1027B.C.FAMILY WAS CENTRAL TO CHINESE SOCIETY• 2 SOCIAL CLASSES : NOBLES AND PEASANTS• RELIGION: BELIEVED THAT THE SPIRITS OF ANCESTORS
HAD THE POWER TO BRING GOOD FORTUNE OR DISASTER; CONSULTED THE GODS THROUGH THE USE OF ORACLE BONES-ANIMAL BONES AND TORTOISE SHELLS
• ZHOU DYNASTY; 1027-256 B.C.• INNOVATED A ROAD AND CANAL SYSTEM BECAUSE
THEY NEEDED THEM FOR TRADE
Ancient Chinese Culture Writing= 50,000 characters Family= center of Chinese society Society was divided into nobles and
peasants Ancestor worship= ancestors could bring
good fortune or disaster to the family
Governmental Organization
Mandate of Heaven= belief that a ruler had the right to rule granted by the gods (divine approval), unless he did something evil or wicked
Dynastic cycle= used to justify conquests or overthrow of poor leaders when they lost the mandate
Feudalism= king gives some leadership to nobles in areas as a way to control and unify the large empire
The Unification of China Confucius- ALL LIFE IS BASED ON
RELATIONSHIPS
lived during the decline of the Zhou dynasty (disorder and violence)
Desired a return to peace and morality Social order, harmony and government could exist if
society was organized and regulated by a code of conduct between: Ruler and subject Father and son Husband and wife Older and younger brothers Friend and friend
CONFUCIUS AND CONFUCIANISM
More about Confucianism and other systems
Filial Piety= respect for parents or ancestors- devoting self to parents for your lifetime
Legalism- believed that order could be restored by a highly efficient and powerful government Believed in controlling ideas and actions Stressed rewards for obedient followers and harsh
punishment for the disobedient
Yin and Yang- search for harmony in nature and relationships Yin- cold, dark, soft and mysterious Yang- warm, bright, hard and clear
Qin Dynasty Emerged and used legalism to subdue
warring states and control nobles
Government Autocracy- government with unlimited power
that uses it in an arbitrary manner forced noble families to serve in the
government and seizing their land Completed the Great Wall of China- forced
labor!
Down fall of the Quin Dynasty Beliefs
Strengthen the trunk, weaken the branches under the Qin Confucian ideals were crushed, millions of their followers were murdered, books were burned
Weaknesses Fell to the Han (peasants) who revolted due to
the hatred they had because of the forced labor required by the dynasty on the Great Wall of China
Confucius and the Government
Why: 130,000 govt employees What: “Gentlemen should practice,
reverence, respect, generosity, truthfulness, diligence and kindness.”
How: To apply for a job you had to pass a test
about Confucius’ teachings To pass you had to study Confucius Anyone could do this- stayed in effect
until 1912!
EXPLAIN HOW THE GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA AND CHINA AFFECTED ITS TRADE AND CULTURE
INDIA AND CHINA ARE SEPARATED BY THE HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS WHICH ARE THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD.
THESE MTNS. MADE DIRECT EXCHANGE OF GOODS AND IDEAS DIFFICULT. TRADE WAS ALSO MADE DIFFICULT WITH DESERTS IN THE NORTH AND SEAS IN THE SOUTH
EVENTUALLY, THE SILK ROADS WOULD CONNECT THE EMPIRES OF INDIA AND CHINA.
CHINA ENJOYED ITS ISOLATION AND HAS CONTINUED TO KEEP ITS CULTURE PURE AND ISOLATED FROM WESTERN INFLUENCES
THE SILK ROAD CONNECTING INDIA AND CHINA FOR TRADE
Han Technology Main invention- paper around 105 AD
Results of paper= improved education, more books, accurate govt records
Agriculture- important b/c of population Collar harness- horse became more
productive Double-bladed plow Other stuff: wheelbarrow, hydro-power
mills to grind corn
Han Commerce & Culture Government created monopolies
Salt mining, forging iron, minting coins, brewing alcohol
Silk mills- most valuable commodity was SILK
Silk Roads- started in China- went through Asia to India- went on to Rome.
Role of Women- Devoted to families, mostly uneducated- some wealthy women did receive educations, others became nuns
The Fall of the Han Dynasty
The Han ruled for 200 years, had a brief interruption for 23 years then ruled for another 200 years.
Reasons for the fall: Political instability- the poor were overtaxed
and overworked Political instability- the people were trying to
gain power Economic instability- large land owners had
to pay little taxes- land was divided up among generations.
The empire broke into three rival kingdoms
Prosperity and Innovation During the Tang and Song Dynasties
1. Science & Technology- Block printing (Tang) then movable type (Song), gunpowder- first used to scare away evil spirits, magnetic compass- allowed for more sea trade, porcelain
2. Agriculture- rice cultivation (two crops each year)
3. Trade and Foreign Contacts- Guarded silk roads, built large port cities, and influenced other groups
4. Poetry & Art- paintings of nature5. Acupuncture6. Paper Currency
Changes in Society1. A new upper class, gentry, emerged who
achieved status through education and civil service
2. Status and role of womenWere always subservient to menTreatment was worse in citiesCustom of foot binding- display of wealth and status
China: The Han Emperors Unrest, ineffective leaders and civil
war- small kingdoms trying to get more land and power
Military leader: Liu Bang came to power and restored order and began the Han Dynasty that lasted more than 400 years.
The most influential dynasty in china- today some people call themselves: People of the Han.
