What is Culture? An Introduction to World History

How do you define culture? Culture: The way of life – language, tools, skills, beliefs, and traditions – that people develop and leave to their children.

Characteristics/Elements of Culture CULTURE Values/Religion ConflictEnvironmentSocial Organization Modes of Expression Technology Politics/Law Economic Organization

Interaction Among Cultures Culture Diffusion: The spread of a people’s way of life, such as customs, beliefs, religions, language, government, and family structure. Ethnocentrism: To judge another culture based on the perspective of one’s own culture. The belief that one's own race or ethnic group is the most important and that some or all aspects of its culture are superior to those of other groups.

Time Span of the Planet Broken Down into a Calendar Year Void of Life Plant Life Very Primitive Animal Forms Homo erectus pm Dec. 31

Neolithic Revolution Transition from Nomads to Farmers. What is a Nomad? Nomads: Communities of people who move from place to place in search of food a.k.a. (Hunter and Gatherers). Nomads began to settle down in one location because they became farmers.

Settlement Begins to Occur Development along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Why would people settle near rivers? Water supply. The rivers would flood and leave behind silt. Silt is a rich substance left behind that is good for farming.

Characteristics of Civilization Developed Cities Organized Government Formalized Religion Specialization of Labor Social Classes Record Keeping and Writing Art and Architecture

Economics Spotlight People had to make choices in the ancient world just like today. Using Cost Benefit Analyzes they made choice to satisfy their wants and needs. What to produce How to produce it Who to produce it for

Early Farming Methods Slash & Burn: A farming method in which people clear fields by cutting and burning trees and grasses; the ashes of which serve to fertilize the soil. Irrigation: The bringing of water to crop fields by means of canals and ditches. Picture Above: Slash & Burning still occurs in parts of the world today.

Economics Spotlight Irrigation made farmers able to produce more than what people needed. When the supply of food became greater than the demand people had a surplus. Surplus= more than people need or want. With fewer people needed to farm, people began to work full time in non-farming jobs. Artisans= skilled craftspeople They became specialized in specific jobs like baker, potter, weaver, soldier. When workers specialize in specific jobs then a Division of Labor is created