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
Page 90
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