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Foundations unit

Prehistory to Post Classical world

8000 bce to 600 ce

 

 

Prehistory vs. “History”

            Transition from Paleolithic -> Neolithic -> “Civilization

 

Paleolithic Era

Tools- stone

General Social Equality

Based on need, not pre-established roles

World population

                        4 million in 10 bce to 5 million in 5000 bce and rose to 14 million in 3000                                  bce and about 100 million by 500 bce

Basic survival/ sustenance level

Influence by climate

Nomadic, hunters/ gatherers

 

Neolithic Era

            Transition- nomadic- settled

            Living- caves/open areas- actual dwelling

            Population increases- need for relationships and support systems

            Villages- cities

            Food surplus begins

            Surplus = trade, specialize occupations; complex societies

            Division of labor based on skills; roles are less equal

            Division of labor

            -gender roles change and become less equal

Complex record keeping systems

            -Alphabet and writing systems

            -Pictograph-picture/physical needs

            -Ideograph-abstract pictures/ideas

            -Phonograph-symbols/sounds

They built temples and formed religions

Beginning of the Bronze Age-Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China

 

River Valley Civilizations

            -Fertile crescent-Mesopotamia

                        -Tigris

                        -Euphrates

            -Egyptian Civilization

                        Nile River Valley- “Gifts of the Nile

                        Predictable flooding- used for irrigation

                        Prevailing winds- river trade

                        Deposits of building materials

                        Silt deposits

                        Papyrus- maps, paper, rope, etc

 

            -Indus

                        -Harrapan

                        -Mohen-jo Daro

            -Hwang Ho

                        -Xia and Shang Dynasties are hard to prove historically

 

Paleolithic Civilization

            Societies created armies, built walls

            Increased wealth

            Built temples; religions formed

            Bronze Age- populations concentrated in:

                        `Mesopotamia/ Fertile Crescent

                        India

                        Egypt

                        China

 

Religion- foundation of society

Religion is the foundation for our societies. It’s why we have our laws, expectations, and social patterns.

 

E- Economic reasons

S- Social reasons

P- Political reasons

 

Protestants- North America

Catholics- South America

China- Buddhists/Japan/Nepal

Russian Orthodox-civil war part of religious reasons

Hindu-India mostly

Muslims-equator

                                   

Christianity

-2 billion adherents make it mist practiced in the world

-Originated in Bethlehem (8-4 bce) and Jerusalem (30 Ce) with Jesus Christ

-spread by missionaries and the Roman Empire (Constantine 313 Ce)

-most practiced religion in Africa today

 

Islam

-1 billion and adherents

-originated in Saudi Arabia

-spread by Muslim armies to North Africa and the Near East

-Sunni (83%) throughout Muslim world

-Shiite Iran (40%) Pakistan (15%) Iraq (10%)

-prophet: Muhammad

-holy text: Koran

 

-spread: Saudi Arabiaà conquered countries outside of Saudi Arabia (East, Spain)

 

Buddhism

-500 million and adherents

-primarily China and South East Asia

-Originated in modern day Nepal around 530 bce by Prince Siddhartha Guatama

-spread in India and Sri Lanka by Magadhan Empire (250 bce)

-Indian traders brought it to China in first century ce.

 

Karma-your past bad or good actions determine your progress toward Nirvana through reincarnation. You are your own god.

 

Theravada- the older, more severe form which requires the renouncing of all worldly goods and desires.

 

Mahayana- focuses on Buddha’s teaching and compassions.

 

Hinduism

-900 million and adherents, primarily in India

-Hinduism is an ancient term for the complex and diverse set of religious beliefs practiced around the Indus River

-Reincarnation-endless cycles

-coastlines and river banks most sacred places

-Vishnu and Shiva most common deltas of hundreds

 

Judaism

-Founders of monotheism

-Abraham-founder/first Islamic prophet in 2000 bce

-25 million adherents

-some believe in after life, some don’t (afterlife is kids)

-Jews don’t believe Jesus was messiah

-Holy text is Torah