Early Civilizations

The Early Civilizations How similar were the Early Civilizations? AP World History Week 2 Richard Smart Oakland Mills High School

Society v Civilization v Complex Society Civilization = cultural group 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Urbanized Technological Advancements Division of labor Defined social structure Complex institutions Arts and Writing systems

Civilization = value laden Complex Society = politically correct

Comparison Question: 

Compare and contrast the political, social and economic structures of TWO of the early civilizations in the following regions: Mesopotamia Egypt Indus Valley Yellow River Valley Mesoamerica and the Andes

Politics

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Urban Monarchies Military and technology

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Compare

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 

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Cities form centers of government. Monarchies in Egypt, Mesopotamia and China

Contrast  

Frequent invasions in Mesopotamia, fewer in Egypt and China. Maya city states and Egypt/Shang centralization

Society

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Patriarchal Social Stratification Religion Writing

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Comparison

  

  

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Cuneiform, Hieroglyphics, Mayan script, Chinese script Patriarchal societies in all regions Polytheism

Contrast 

Role of women in Egypt and Mesopotamia

Economy

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Agriculture Trade Metallurgy

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Comparison

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 

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River valleys and irrigation Trade and technology

Contrast  

Little trade in China Agriculture in Western and Eastern hemispheres

Discussion Questions 

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Is it appropriate to use the same label (Early Civilizations) for each of these societies? Do you think we should reject the label “Civilization” for “Complex Societies”?