1. 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

2. MESOPOTAMIA

3. THE EARLIEST RIVER CIVILIZATIONS

4. 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 ( 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.

5. 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 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

6. 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

7. Importance of Writing Hieroglyphics Egypt
Symbols stand for words or sounds
Rosetta Stone

8. Importance of Writing Cuneiform Syrians and Babylonians
“wedge”- shaped tool used on soft clay
Few artifacts have survived

9. Importance of Writing Phoenician alphabet Symbols represent sounds
Easier to learn- increased literacy
Adopted by the Greeks
Later the Arabic (our alphabet)

10. Importance of Writing Phoenician alphabet Symbols represent sounds
Easier to learn- increased literacy
Adopted by the Greeks
Later the Arabic (our alphabet)

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Indus Valley Maps This is it! Ganges River FertileRiver Valley
Indus River

15. 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

16. 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???

17. 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

18. ARYAN CASTE SYSTEM

19. 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

20. 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

21. India’s First Empire Mauryan
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.

22. India’s First Empire Mauryan
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.

23. 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

24. Chinese River Civilizations
Unification, Culture, Dynasties and Empires

25. CHINA: FIRST CIVILIZATIONS DEVELOPED AROUND THE YELLOW RIVER
SHANG 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; B.C.
INNOVATED A ROAD AND CANAL SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY NEEDED THEM FOR TRADE

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. CONFUCIUS AND CONFUCIANISM

30. 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

31. 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!

32. 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

33. 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!

34. 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

35. THE SILK ROAD CONNECTING INDIA AND CHINA FOR TRADE

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

39. Prosperity and Innovation During the Tang and Song Dynasties
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
Agriculture- rice cultivation (two crops each year)
Trade and Foreign Contacts- Guarded silk roads, built large port cities, and influenced other groups
Poetry & Art- paintings of nature
Acupuncture
Paper Currency

40. Changes in Society
A new upper class, gentry, emerged who achieved status through education and civil service
Status and role of women
Were always subservient to men
Treatment was worse in cities
Custom of foot binding- display of wealth and status

41. 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.