The Neolithic Revolution Foundations Lesson 2

Main Ideas: Revolution: fundamental changeRevolution: fundamental change History hinges on major transitions—can be positive or negativeHistory hinges on major transitions—can be positive or negative Rise of farming led to dramatic changes in human lifeRise of farming led to dramatic changes in human life Rise of agriculture not universalRise of agriculture not universal

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Self- Actualization Esteem Love/Belongingness Safety Physiological

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Some key aspects of Maslow:Some key aspects of Maslow: – Each level somewhat dependant on the previous level(s) – Upper-levels of hierarchy = more “civilized” – “All the liberty in the world doesn’t matter if a man can’t find food to eat.” How does man get past Level 1?How does man get past Level 1?

The Neolithic Revolution Also “1 st Agricultural Revolution”Also “1 st Agricultural Revolution” Begins around 10,000 B.C.E.—most successful in river valleysBegins around 10,000 B.C.E.—most successful in river valleys Occurs exclusively in a global belt between the Tropic of Cancer & the Tropic of CapricornOccurs exclusively in a global belt between the Tropic of Cancer & the Tropic of Capricorn

Guns, Germs, & Steel Jared Diamond, environmental physiologist, UCLA The Question: “Why do [Western peoples] have so much ‘cargo’?” (and thus come to control the world) The Thesis: “Progress” is directly correlated to environment.

The Process Occurs in the world’s “temperate zone”

Abundance of species, most of which propagate easily

The Process Of available species, some are domesticable

The Process Domestication leads to food surpluses & storage

The Process More food = more people! Development of complex societies

Ancillary Factors Disease & Immunity – p– p– p– proximity to animals – d– d– d– densely populated societies Complex Societies – S– S– S– Specialization of Labor Technology – D– D– D– Due to specialization

The Results… By 3000 B.C.E., large agricultural societies were thriving in river valleysBy 3000 B.C.E., large agricultural societies were thriving in river valleys – Mesopotamia – Egypt – India – China – Mesoamerica (1000 B.C.E.)

HOMEWORK!! Read excerpt from Diamond’s Guns, Germs, & SteelRead excerpt from Diamond’s Guns, Germs, & Steel – Make sure you understand the flow chart from pg. 87—compare with “Process” from notes – Hi-lite key points relating to the chart