The Beginnings of Human Society Chapter 1 The Beginnings of Human Society

I. Understanding History A. We want to know how our ancestors lived. Geography and History I. Understanding History A. We want to know how our ancestors lived. B. Systems of writing developed 5,000 years ago.

C. History – the recorded events of people. Geography and History C. History – the recorded events of people.

Geography and History D. Prehistory – before history: the events that occurred in the time period before writing was invented

Geography and History E. Archaeologist – Scientist who examines objects to learn about past peoples and cultures.

Geography and History F. Historians can rely on writings to understand a society or culture but do not need objects

G. Oral Traditions – stories passed down by word of mouth Geography and History G. Oral Traditions – stories passed down by word of mouth 1. Can tell family history, or stories about heroes or past events

2. Not all oral stories are historically accurate. Geography and History 2. Not all oral stories are historically accurate. a Mix facts with beliefs and exaggerations.

II. Connecting Geography and History

A. Understanding Geography can explain why historic events took place Geography and History A. Understanding Geography can explain why historic events took place 1. Egypt on Nile River

A. First use of stone for tools/weapons Prehistory I. The Stone Age A. First use of stone for tools/weapons

B. Simple to complex tools/weapons Prehistory B. Simple to complex tools/weapons

C. Continued for hundreds of thousands of years – until use of metal Prehistory C. Continued for hundreds of thousands of years – until use of metal

D. Divided into two periods – Old Stone Age and New Stone Age Prehistory D. Divided into two periods – Old Stone Age and New Stone Age

A. Did not know how to farm Prehistory II. Old Stone age A. Did not know how to farm

B. Hunters and gatherers C. Learned to hunt in small groups Prehistory B. Hunters and gatherers C. Learned to hunt in small groups

D. Discovery of fire – movement to colder climates Prehistory D. Discovery of fire – movement to colder climates

E. People lived as nomads 1. No one home Prehistory E. People lived as nomads 1. No one home

3. Spread out over much of the Earth Prehistory 2. Moved in search of food 3. Spread out over much of the Earth

A. Marked by the development of farming Prehistory III. New Stone Age A. Marked by the development of farming

B. 11,000 years ago in Southwest Asia Prehistory B. 11,000 years ago in Southwest Asia C. Importance of women

D. Selection of best locations/best seeds and roots Prehistory D. Selection of best locations/best seeds and roots E. Domestication of animals

A. Nomad – person with no single, settled home Prehistory IV. Important terms A. Nomad – person with no single, settled home

Prehistory B. Fertile – land or soil that contains substances that plants need in order to grow well

C. Domesticate – tame animals and raise them to be used by humans Prehistory C. Domesticate – tame animals and raise them to be used by humans

Beginnings of Civilization I. Important terms A. Irrigation – supplying land with water through a network of canals

Beginnings of Civilization B. Surplus – more of a thing or product than is needed

Beginnings of Civilization C. Artisan – a worker who is especially skilled in making something, such as baskets, leather goods, jewelry, pottery, or clothes

Beginnings of Civilization D. Social class – a group or class that is made up of people with similar backgrounds, wealth, and ways of living

Beginnings of Civilization E. Civilization – a society with cities, a central government run by official leaders, and workers who specialize in certain jobs, leading to social classes

Beginnings of Civilization II. Advantages of settled life A. Farming led to steady supply of food

Beginnings of Civilization B. People could stay in one place

Beginnings of Civilization C. Population growth D. Development of artisans

Beginnings of Civilization III. Growth of cities A. Needed location with rich soil for large surpluses of food

Beginnings of Civilization B. Needed dependable source of drinking water

Beginnings of Civilization C. Needed materials to build shelters D. Importance of rivers

Beginnings of Civilization IV. Development of cities A. Larger than villages

Beginnings of Civilization B. Buildings to store grain C. Buildings to worship gods

Beginnings of Civilization D. Buildings to buy and sell goods E. Wide variety of occupations F. Development of government

Beginnings of Civilization V. First Civilizations A. Bronze Age – 3000 B.C. – development of bronze – harder substance

Beginnings of Civilization B. Trading by land and water – wheel and axle

Beginnings of Civilization C. Spread of tools, goods, and ideas D. Development of social classes - chart