Unit 1—Unit 1—FoundationsFoundations
8000 BCE 8000 BCE
to 600 CEto 600 CE
We begin at about 8,000 BCwhen village life began in the New Stone Age. . . Also known as the Neolithic Revolution.
NEW STONE AGE
A A TOTALLYTOTALLY new way of living: new way of living:
From From
Hunter-Gatherersto Agriculture
INVENTION OF AGRICULTUREINVENTION OF AGRICULTURE Mesopotamians first to engage in Mesopotamians first to engage in
agriculture agriculture Around 8000 BCAround 8000 BC Cereal cropsCereal crops
WheatWheat Barley Barley
Herd animalsHerd animals SheepSheep GoatsGoats
Woman probably first farmerWoman probably first farmer Grain-collecting then noticed that Grain-collecting then noticed that
stored wild grain could be grown on stored wild grain could be grown on purposepurpose
Agriculture changed Agriculture changed how people lived how people lived
Agriculture (Farming)Agriculture (Farming)
Growth of CitiesGrowth of Cities
Division of Labor Division of Labor (Specialization)(Specialization)
TradeTrade
Writing and MathematicsWriting and Mathematics
Human/Environmental interactionHuman/Environmental interaction
Tools and weaponsTools and weapons Social and political Social and political
organization organization HomesHomes
Lake houses in SwitzerlandLake houses in Switzerland Long houses along DanubeLong houses along Danube Stone huts in BritainStone huts in Britain Reed lean-tos in EgyptReed lean-tos in Egypt Clay brick huts in Middle EastClay brick huts in Middle East
Broad language Broad language groups appearedgroups appeared
SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONSOCIAL ORGANIZATION
Originally ruled by Originally ruled by council of elderscouncil of elders Authority moved to Authority moved to
single leadersingle leader Close-knit societyClose-knit society
Communal granaries, Communal granaries, ovens, and fieldsovens, and fields
Private property Private property limited to personal limited to personal possessionspossessions
POSSESSIONSPOSSESSIONS
Needs of Needs of agriculture and agriculture and stabilitystability Clay potteryClay pottery Woven basketsWoven baskets Woolen and linen Woolen and linen
clothingclothing Sophisticated tools Sophisticated tools
and weaponsand weapons PlowPlow
RESULTS OF AGRICULTURERESULTS OF AGRICULTURE
Required Required intensification of intensification of group organizationgroup organization Neolithic farmers Neolithic farmers
lived in settlementslived in settlements Ranged from 150 Ranged from 150 (Jarmo) to 2000 (Jarmo) to 2000 (Jericho)(Jericho)
OUTSIDE CONTACTSOUTSIDE CONTACTS Neolithic communities had linksNeolithic communities had links
Walls indicate some fearfulWalls indicate some fearful Others were more peacefulOthers were more peaceful
Obsidian and turquoise in Jericho Obsidian and turquoise in Jericho from several 100’s of miles awayfrom several 100’s of miles away
Either gifts or received in Either gifts or received in tradetrade
Jericho
Origins and Spread of Origins and Spread of AgricultureAgriculture
Self-actualization(self-knowledge,
fulfillment of personal potential)
Esteem(autonomy, achievement, recognition)
Social(belonging, affection)
Safety(security, protection from harm)
Physiological(Hunger, thirst, shelter)
Maslow’s Hierarchy of NeedsMaslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Civilization: Whose Definition?Civilization: Whose Definition?Civilization: Whose Definition?Civilization: Whose Definition?
18th Century European18th Century European Civilized vs. primitiveCivilized vs. primitive White vs. everyone elseWhite vs. everyone else
What does it mean to be What does it mean to be civilized?civilized?
Historians have determined Historians have determined 6 6 characteristics of civilization:characteristics of civilization:
CitiesCities Organized central governmentsOrganized central governments Complex religionsComplex religions Social classesSocial classes Job specialization and the artsJob specialization and the arts WritingWriting
CitiesCities Rivers provided:Rivers provided:
water supply water supply transportation transportation food supply from animalsfood supply from animals
Rivers provided challenges:Rivers provided challenges: floodingflooding irrigationirrigation
Required organized, mass labor Required organized, mass labor (corvee)(corvee) Construction and repair of canals and Construction and repair of canals and
irrigation ditchesirrigation ditches
Euphrates River
Organized Central Organized Central GovernmentsGovernments
Central authority needed to control:Central authority needed to control: LaborLabor Storage of grainStorage of grain Dispersion of foodstuffs among Dispersion of foodstuffs among
populationpopulation Early governments first Early governments first
led by priestsled by priests Later controlled by warrior Later controlled by warrior
chiefs or kingschiefs or kings
Organized Central Organized Central GovernmentsGovernments
Governments became more Governments became more complex as new responsibilities complex as new responsibilities arose such as:arose such as: tax collectingtax collecting law makinglaw making handling public works projectshandling public works projects organizing systems of defenseorganizing systems of defense
Complex ReligionsComplex Religions Generally polytheisticGenerally polytheistic
Many gods represented natural forcesMany gods represented natural forces Others controlled human activitiesOthers controlled human activities Priests and worshippers tried to gain Priests and worshippers tried to gain
gods’ favor through complex rituals gods’ favor through complex rituals and sacrificeand sacrifice
Directed by unquestionable ruling Directed by unquestionable ruling class of priestsclass of priests
King regarded as a god or as a King regarded as a god or as a god’s agentgod’s agent
Complex ReligionsComplex Religions Temples often built to honor Temples often built to honor
specific gods and goddessesspecific gods and goddesses
Egyptian temple Mesopotamian
ziggurat
Mayan temple
Social ClassesSocial Classes People ranked according to their People ranked according to their
professionprofession
Egyptian social structure
ChiefPriestsNobles
Wealthy merchantsArtisans
Peasants/farmersSlaves
Priestly class is part of the beginning of Priestly class is part of the beginning of social differentiationsocial differentiation
Class structure based on specialization Class structure based on specialization of laborof labor
Generated class differencesGenerated class differences Priests (“We talk to god, you don’t.)Priests (“We talk to god, you don’t.) Aristocrats/warriors (“We have weapons, Aristocrats/warriors (“We have weapons,
you don’t.”)you don’t.”) Common people (“I guess we work...?”)Common people (“I guess we work...?”) Slaves (“Uh, oh!!!”)Slaves (“Uh, oh!!!”)
Social ClassesSocial Classes
Job Specialization Job Specialization and the Artsand the Arts
Artisans specialized in various jobs, Artisans specialized in various jobs, such as:such as: BricklayersBricklayers BlacksmithsBlacksmiths
Production of luxuries (Things You Production of luxuries (Things You Don’t Really Need)Don’t Really Need)
Metal technologyMetal technology
Created great architecture and artCreated great architecture and art monumental architecturemonumental architecture pyramids, ziggurats, big citiespyramids, ziggurats, big cities huge temples and associated huge temples and associated
structuresstructures to fill the needs of a god-oriented to fill the needs of a god-oriented
statestate under the control of the priestly under the control of the priestly
classclass
Job Specialization Job Specialization and the Artsand the Arts
WritingWriting Probably first used by priestsProbably first used by priests Earliest writing used pictogramsEarliest writing used pictograms
Mesopotamian cuneiform
Egyptian hieroglyphs
Chinese calligraphy
WritingWriting Symbols later added to represent Symbols later added to represent
words and then soundswords and then sounds Scribes were specially trained to Scribes were specially trained to
read, write, and record informationread, write, and record information ReligionReligion TradeTrade GovernmentGovernment
Learning Learning became became cumulativecumulative
UNIQUENESS OF CIVILIZATIONUNIQUENESS OF CIVILIZATION Civilization was not simply next Civilization was not simply next
inevitable step from Neolithic Ageinevitable step from Neolithic Age Many peoples remained at simple food-Many peoples remained at simple food-
raising stage for thousands of years—raising stage for thousands of years—without developing any sort of civilizationwithout developing any sort of civilization
Only four locations developed Only four locations developed civilizations entirely on their owncivilizations entirely on their own ChinaChina Indus River ValleyIndus River Valley Mesopotamia/EgyptMesopotamia/Egypt Central America and PeruCentral America and Peru
Primary Phase CulturesPrimary Phase CulturesPrimary Phase CulturesPrimary Phase Cultures
ca. 3000-2500 B.C. to about ca. 3000-2500 B.C. to about 1800-1500 B.C.1800-1500 B.C.
Either disappeared or changed Either disappeared or changed by 1500 B.C.by 1500 B.C.
Common characteristicsCommon characteristics Consistent, worldwideConsistent, worldwide
Common Characteristics ??Common Characteristics ??Common Characteristics ??Common Characteristics ??
Water!!Water!! Deserts of river cultures short on Deserts of river cultures short on
resourcesresources River Valley CivilizationsRiver Valley Civilizations
Opportunity to adapt Opportunity to adapt environmentenvironment
Suitable for domesticated Suitable for domesticated plants/animalsplants/animals
Relatively stable (a bit hot) Relatively stable (a bit hot) climateclimate
GEOGRAPHYGEOGRAPHY influenced the influenced the development of river valley development of river valley
civilizations.civilizations.
Early River Valley CivilizationsEarly River Valley Civilizations
•Flooding of Tigris and Euphrates unpredictable•No natural barriers•Limited natural resources for making tools or buildings
EnvironmentEnvironment
MesopotamiaMesopotamia
EgyptEgypt
Indus River Indus River ValleyValley
ChinaChina
•Flooding of the Nile predictable•Nile an easy transportation link between Egypt’s villages•Deserts were natural barriers
• Indus flooding unpredictable•Monsoon winds•Mountains, deserts were natural barriers
•Huang He flooding unpredictable•Mountains, deserts natural barriers•Geographically isolated from other ancient civilizations
•Mountains and ocean natural barriers•Warm temperatures and moderate rainfall•Geographically isolated from other ancient civilizations
Mesoamerica Mesoamerica & Andes& Andes
Mesopotamia – Fertile CrescentMesopotamia – Fertile Crescent
Sumer – The Sumer – The Earliest of the River Earliest of the River Valley CivilizationsValley Civilizations
Sumerian Sumerian Civilization grew up Civilization grew up along the Tigris and along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in Euphrates Rivers in what is now what is now Kuwait.Kuwait.
Sumerian Writing: cuneiformSumerian Writing: cuneiform
Cuneiform is created by pressing a pointed stylus into a clay tablet.
Sumerians invented:Sumerians invented:
Brick technologyBrick technology WheelWheel Base 60 – using the circle . . . 360 degreesBase 60 – using the circle . . . 360 degrees Time – 60 minutes in an hour, 60 seconds in Time – 60 minutes in an hour, 60 seconds in
a minutea minute 12 month lunar calendar12 month lunar calendar archarch rampramp zigguratziggurat
Ziggurat – Holy MountainZiggurat – Holy Mountain
Click on the pictures for more information on ziggurats.Click on the pictures for more information on ziggurats.
BabylonBabylon
First know written law code First know written law code ““Rule of Law”Rule of Law”
Hammurabi’s Code - 1792 BCHammurabi’s Code - 1792 BC
EGYPTEGYPT“The Gift of the Nile”“The Gift of the Nile”
Nile River
Sahara Desert
HieroglyphicsHieroglyphics PyramidsPyramids GeometryGeometry Advances in medicine and Advances in medicine and
surgerysurgery
Indus River ValleyIndus River Valley2500 BC – 1500 BC2500 BC – 1500 BC
Harappan culture Harappan culture Well planned citiesWell planned cities
Grid patternGrid pattern
Modern plumbingModern plumbing Built on mud brick platformsBuilt on mud brick platforms
Protected against seasonal floodsProtected against seasonal floods
Larger citiesLarger cities Houses built of baked brickHouses built of baked brick
Smaller townsSmaller towns Houses built of sun-dried mud brickHouses built of sun-dried mud brick
Aryan MigrationAryan Migration
pastoral depended on their cattle
warriors horse-drawn chariots
Varna (Social Hierarchy)
ShudrasShudras
VaishyasVaishyas
Kshatriyas Kshatriyas
Pariahs [Harijan] Untouchables
Pariahs [Harijan] Untouchables
BrahminsBrahmins
Shang ChinaShang China1600 BC – 1122 BC1600 BC – 1122 BC
Yellow River ValleyYellow River Valley Bronze, jade, stone, bone and ceramic artifacts Bronze, jade, stone, bone and ceramic artifacts Advanced cultureAdvanced culture
DivinationsDivinations ReligionReligion AstronomyAstronomy CalendarCalendar ArtArt MedicineMedicine
Shang ChinaShang China1600 BC – 1122 BC1600 BC – 1122 BC
ReligionReligion Human as well as animal sacrificesHuman as well as animal sacrifices
Regarded their land as only civilized land Regarded their land as only civilized land and called it Zhongguo (Middle Kingdom)and called it Zhongguo (Middle Kingdom)
Lack of contact with foreigners led to Lack of contact with foreigners led to belief in:belief in: Strong sense of identityStrong sense of identity SuperioritySuperiority Center of earthCenter of earth Sole source of civilizationSole source of civilization
Zhou ChinaZhou China1122 BC – 256 BC1122 BC – 256 BC
Bronze, jade, silver, goldBronze, jade, silver, gold Mandate of HeavenMandate of Heaven
Power to rule came from heavenPower to rule came from heaven Power could be removed if ruler Power could be removed if ruler
not just not just Veneration of ancestorsVeneration of ancestors
All must honor family responsibilitiesAll must honor family responsibilities Period ended with Period ended with
Era of Warring StatesEra of Warring States
Mesoamerica and Mesoamerica and Andean South AmericaAndean South America
2900 BC – 1400 BC2900 BC – 1400 BC MesoamericaMesoamerica
Maize, chili peppers, avocados, beansMaize, chili peppers, avocados, beans PotteryPottery Stone bowlsStone bowls BeadsBeads Waddle and daub structuresWaddle and daub structures No draft animals No draft animals
Mesoamerica and Mesoamerica and Andean South AmericaAndean South America
3500 BC – 1400 BC3500 BC – 1400 BC AndesAndes
Textiles technology Textiles technology Sophisticated governmentSophisticated government ReligionReligion Lacked ceramicsLacked ceramics Largely without artLargely without art Most impressive achievement was Most impressive achievement was
monumental architecturemonumental architecture Large platform mounds Large platform mounds Sunken circular plazasSunken circular plazas
CivilizationCivilization A civilization is built on what is A civilization is built on what is
required of men, not on that required of men, not on that which is provided for them.which is provided for them.
Antoine De Saint-Exupery Antoine De Saint-Exupery 1900-1944, French Writer1900-1944, French Writer
Increased means and increased Increased means and increased leisure are the two civilizers of leisure are the two civilizers of man.man.
BenjaminBenjamin Disraeli Disraeli 1804-1881, British Statesman Prime Minister1804-1881, British Statesman Prime Minister
To be able to fill leisure To be able to fill leisure intelligently is the last product of intelligently is the last product of civilization.civilization.
Toynbee, ArnoldToynbee, Arnold1852-1883, British Economic Historian and Reformer1852-1883, British Economic Historian and Reformer
CivilizationCivilization Cities that served as administrative centersCities that served as administrative centers Political system based on control or defined Political system based on control or defined
territory rather than on connections of kinshipterritory rather than on connections of kinship Significant number of people engaged in Significant number of people engaged in
specialized, non-food-producing activitiesspecialized, non-food-producing activities Status distinctions, usually linked to Status distinctions, usually linked to
accumulation of substantial wealth by some accumulation of substantial wealth by some groupsgroups
Monumental buildingMonumental building System for keeping permanent recordsSystem for keeping permanent records Long distance tradeLong distance trade Major advances in science and artsMajor advances in science and arts
Richard W. BullietRichard W. Bulliet
CivilizationCivilization "All peoples from small bands of hunters and "All peoples from small bands of hunters and
gatherers to farmers and factory workers live gatherers to farmers and factory workers live in societies. All societies produce cultures: in societies. All societies produce cultures: combinations of the ideas, objects, and combinations of the ideas, objects, and patterns of behavior that result from human patterns of behavior that result from human social interaction. But not all societies and social interaction. But not all societies and cultures generate the surplus production that cultures generate the surplus production that permits the levels of specialization, scale, permits the levels of specialization, scale, and complexity that distinguish civilizations and complexity that distinguish civilizations from other social organizations. All people from other social organizations. All people are capable of building civilizations, but many are capable of building civilizations, but many have lacked the resource base, historical have lacked the resource base, historical circumstance, or, quite simply, the circumstance, or, quite simply, the motivation of doing so.“motivation of doing so.“ Peter StearnsPeter Stearns on culture vs. civilizationon culture vs. civilization
Classical IndiaClassical India
Mauryan Empire Mauryan Empire (320 BCE-320 (320 BCE-320 CE)CE)
Mauryan Empire Mauryan Empire (320 BCE-320 (320 BCE-320 CE)CE)
Chandragupta Chandragupta Unified northern India after Unified northern India after
Alexander the Great withdrewAlexander the Great withdrew Set up efficient bureaucracySet up efficient bureaucracy
Asoka (grandson)Asoka (grandson) Dedicated life to BuddhaDedicated life to Buddha Continued bureaucracyContinued bureaucracy Hospitals, roadsHospitals, roads
Gupta Empire (320-647 CE)Gupta Empire (320-647 CE)Gupta Empire (320-647 CE)Gupta Empire (320-647 CE)
Chandra Gupta I Chandra Gupta I
BureaucracyBureaucracyAllowed local Allowed local government in southgovernment in south
Social StructureSocial StructureSocial StructureSocial Structure
PatriarchalPatriarchal Women were legally minorsWomen were legally minors Women under control of fathers, Women under control of fathers,
husbands and sonshusbands and sons Caste system continuedCaste system continued
International Trade International Trade RoutesRoutes
International Trade International Trade RoutesRoutes
Items TradedItems TradedItems TradedItems Traded
spices
spices
spicesspices
gold & gold &
ivoryivory
gold & gold & ivoryivory
rice & rice & wheatwheathorseshorses
cotton goods
cotton goods
cotton goods
cotton goodssilkssilks
GuptGuptaa
ArtArt
GuptGuptaa
ArtArt
Greatly influenced Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & Southeast Asian art &
architecture.architecture.
MedicineMedicineMedicineMedicine LiteratureLiteratureLiteratureLiterature
MathematicsMathematicsMathematicsMathematicsAstronomyAstronomyAstronomyAstronomy
PrintedPrintedmedicinal medicinal
guidesguides
1000 1000 diseasesdiseasesclassifiedclassified
PlasticPlasticSurgerySurgery
C-sectionsC-sectionsperformeperforme
dd
InoculatioInoculationsns
500 healing500 healingplants plants
identifiedidentified
DecimalDecimalSystemSystem
ConceptConceptof Zeroof Zero
PI = 3.1416PI = 3.1416
KalidasKalidasaa
SolarSolarCalendarCalendar
The The earthearth
is roundis round
GuptaGuptaIndiaIndia
Gu
pta
Ach
ievem
en
tsG
up
ta A
ch
ievem
en
tsG
up
ta A
ch
ievem
en
tsG
up
ta A
ch
ievem
en
ts
Classical ChinaClassical China
Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty (221-206 BCE)(221-206 BCE)
Shi Huangdi (221-206 B.C.E)Shi Huangdi (221-206 B.C.E)Legalist ruleLegalist rule
Bureaucratic, Bureaucratic, centralized centralized control control
Military expansionMilitary expansion Book burnings --> Book burnings -->
targeted Confucianiststargeted ConfucianistsBuried protestors alive!Buried protestors alive!
Terra Cotta Terra Cotta ArmyArmy
Great Great WallWall
Strong, centralized bureaucracyStrong, centralized bureaucracy Roads, canalsRoads, canals Emperor Wu Di (141-87 BCE)Emperor Wu Di (141-87 BCE)
Public schoolsPublic schools Colonized Colonized
Manchuria, Manchuria, Korea, & Korea, & VietnamVietnam
Civil service Civil service systemsystem
Han Dynasty Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE)(206 BCE-220 CE)
Chang’an
The Han Capital
Chang’an
The Han Capital
Liu Sheng Tomb Liu Sheng Tomb (d. 113 BCE)(d. 113 BCE)Liu Sheng Tomb Liu Sheng Tomb (d. 113 BCE)(d. 113 BCE)
His jade suit has 2498 pieces!His jade suit has 2498 pieces!
Han ArtifactsHan ArtifactsHan ArtifactsHan Artifacts
Imperial Imperial SealSeal
Han Ceramic Han Ceramic HouseHouse
Han – Roman Empire Han – Roman Empire ConnectionConnection
Han – Roman Empire Han – Roman Empire ConnectionConnection
Trade Routes of the Ancient World
Trade Routes of the Ancient World
Classical GreeceClassical Greece
Early HistoryEarly History (3000 BCE-750 BCE)(3000 BCE-750 BCE)
Minoans Minoans CreteCrete Seafaring merchantsSeafaring merchants Sophisticated civilizationSophisticated civilization
HellenesHellenes Merged with native GreeksMerged with native Greeks
Dark Age Dark Age
Homer
Geographic Geographic InfluenceInfluence
MountainsMountains Independent city-statesIndependent city-states
Insufficient farmlandInsufficient farmland Founded colonies on Mediterranean Founded colonies on Mediterranean
coastcoast
LocationLocation Peninsula in MediterraneanPeninsula in Mediterranean Exchange of culture/tradeExchange of culture/trade
Deep harborsDeep harbors Numerous good harbors on its Numerous good harbors on its
irregular coastlineirregular coastline
City-StatesCity-States
AthensAthens Democratic, leading city-stateDemocratic, leading city-state
SpartaSparta Aristocratic/military city-stateAristocratic/military city-state
CorinthCorinth Trading centerTrading center
United by language, culture and United by language, culture and fear of Persiansfear of Persians
Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great ( (336-323 BCE)336-323 BCE)
Taught by AristotleTaught by Aristotle Conquered Persian Conquered Persian
EmpireEmpire Created Created
Hellenistic Hellenistic cultureculture
Died suddenly Died suddenly at 33at 33
Athenian ContributionsAthenian Contributions
Theater, poetry and historical Theater, poetry and historical writingwriting
Science and mathScience and math Architecture and sculptureArchitecture and sculpture PhilosophyPhilosophy
SocratesSocrates IndividualIndividual
PlatoPlato GroupGroup
AristotleAristotle WorldWorld
Classical RomeClassical Rome
Ancient Rome Ancient Rome (1500 BCE-500 BCE)(1500 BCE-500 BCE)
1500BC-Latins 1500BC-Latins crossed Alpscrossed Alps Founded Rome Founded Rome Conquered by EtruscansConquered by Etruscans
New RomansNew Romans Roads, walls, & buildingsRoads, walls, & buildings Metal weaponsMetal weapons
RepublicRepublic500-27 BCE500-27 BCE
Social aristocracySocial aristocracy PatriciansPatricians PlebeiansPlebeians
SenateSenate Conquered Mediterranean worldConquered Mediterranean world
Italian Peninsula and westItalian Peninsula and west Client statesClient states
Spread Greek culture Spread Greek culture Began to end with assassination of Began to end with assassination of
Julius Caesar in 44 BCEJulius Caesar in 44 BCE
EmpireEmpire27 BCE-476 CE27 BCE-476 CE
Octavian (Augustus)Octavian (Augustus) Began Pax RomanaBegan Pax Romana
Spread Greco-Roman civilizationSpread Greco-Roman civilization Law, language, historical writingLaw, language, historical writing Trade, industry, science, architectureTrade, industry, science, architecture
DiocletianDiocletian Divided EmpireDivided Empire
ConstantineConstantine Reunited empireReunited empire Converted to ChristianityConverted to Christianity
Germanic InvasionGermanic Invasion
Germans allowed to settleGermans allowed to settle Huns pushed more Germans inHuns pushed more Germans in 476 CE—last Roman emperor476 CE—last Roman emperor
Classical Classical MesoamericaMesoamerica
Maya Maya (1800 BCE-800 BCE)(1800 BCE-800 BCE)
Only known fully developed written Only known fully developed written language of time/arealanguage of time/area
Art, architectureArt, architecture Writing, math, astronomy, calendarWriting, math, astronomy, calendar Cultural diffusion across Cultural diffusion across
MesoamericaMesoamerica
Chavin Chavin (900 BCE-200 BCE)(900 BCE-200 BCE)
PotteryPottery Metalwork (including gold and Metalwork (including gold and
silver)silver) Religion promoted fertilityReligion promoted fertility
Built templesBuilt temples Used hallucinogensUsed hallucinogens
TradeTrade
Why civilizations fallWhy civilizations fall
ExternalExternalWarWarNatural Natural disasterdisaster
DiseaseDisease
InternalInternalOverpopulationOverpopulationEconomic Economic problemsproblems
Social Social disruptiondisruption
Political Political strugglesstruggles
How do civilizations How do civilizations collapse?collapse?
Population size and density decrease Population size and density decrease dramatically dramatically
Society tends to become less politically Society tends to become less politically centralized centralized
Less investment is made in things such as Less investment is made in things such as architecture, art, and literature architecture, art, and literature
Trade and other economic activities are Trade and other economic activities are greatly diminishedgreatly diminished
The flow of information among people slowsThe flow of information among people slows The ruling elites may change, but usually The ruling elites may change, but usually
the working classes tend to remain and the working classes tend to remain and provide continuityprovide continuity
Is it possible to prevent collapse?Is it possible to prevent collapse? Every society must:Every society must:
answer basic biological needs of its members: answer basic biological needs of its members: food, drink, shelter, and medical care. food, drink, shelter, and medical care.
provide for production and distribution of goods provide for production and distribution of goods and services (perhaps through division of labor, and services (perhaps through division of labor, rules concerning property and trade, or ideas rules concerning property and trade, or ideas about role of work). about role of work).
provide for reproduction of new members and provide for reproduction of new members and consider laws and issues related to reproduction consider laws and issues related to reproduction (regulation, marriageable age, number of (regulation, marriageable age, number of children, and so on). children, and so on).
provide for training (education, apprenticeship, provide for training (education, apprenticeship, passing on of values) of individuals so that they passing on of values) of individuals so that they can become functioning adults in society. can become functioning adults in society.
provide for maintenance of internal and external provide for maintenance of internal and external order (laws, courts, police, wars, diplomacy). order (laws, courts, police, wars, diplomacy).
provide meaning and motivation to its members.provide meaning and motivation to its members.
Thuman Thuman and and BennetBennet
Top Related