world history

Employer-Desired Skills

 Studying history specifically enhances critical thinking and analytical abilities desired by employers.

Hidden History

Defined as the experiences of historical groups that have been overlooked or ignored in traditional research.

Historical Causation

 Historians search for causation by analyzing both the immediate and long-term circumstances surrounding an event.

Human Origins

- Earliest humans emerged in Africa

- Processed ochre as early evidence of human activity

- Migrated to different parts of the world during Paleolithic period

Migration Patterns

- Originated in Africa

- Migrated through land bridges during Ice Age

- Eastern Siberia was point of departure for Americas

- Used boats to reach Australia and Pacific islands

Paleolithic Society Characteristics

- Small bands of 25-50 people

- Gathering and hunting lifestyle

- Highly egalitarian social structure

- Relatively equal gender relations

- Seasonal mobility

- No permanent leaders

- Cyclical view of time

- Strong ceremonial/religious practices

Agricultural Revolution Key Points

- Occurred between 4,000-12,000 years ago

- Independently developed in multiple regions

- Transformed human-environment relationship

- Enabled permanent settlements

- Increased population density

Paleolithic Societies

- Nomadic

- Hunter-gatherers

- Minimal social hierarchy

Agricultural Village Societies

- Permanent settlements

- Crop cultivation

- Basic social organization

- Shared kinship structures

Pastoral Societies

- Animal husbandry

- Mobile lifestyle

- Traded with agricultural societies

Major Changes from Agricultural Revolution

- Increased food production

- Population growth

- More complex social structures

- Development of specialized skills

- Accumulation of personal possessions

Important Regions of Agricultural Development

- Fertile Crescent

- Northeast Africa

- Americas

What is a Civilization?

- A complex society with:

  - Advanced cities

  - Specialized workers

  - Complex institutions

  - Record keeping/writing systems

  - Advanced technology

Sumer

(Mesopotamia)

   - Located in modern-day Iraq

   - Developed around 3500 BCE

   - Organized in city-states

   - Invented writing (cuneiform)

Egypt

   - Located along the Nile River

   - Unified state with pharaohs

   - Advanced irrigation systems

   - Developed hieroglyphic writing

Other Early Civilizations

  - Norte Chico/Chavin (Peru)

   - Indus Valley (India)

   - Shang Dynasty (China)

   - Olmec (Mexico)

Upper Classes

 Rulers

   - Priests

   - Nobles

   - High-ranking officials

Middle Class

   - Artisans

   - Merchants

   - Farmers

   - Lower-level officials

Lower Class

   - Enslaved people

   - Prisoners of war

   - Laborers

Agriculture

- Primary economic foundation

- Enabled food surplus

- Supported population growth

- Led to specialized labor

Technology and Innovations

- Irrigation systems

- Writing

- Metalworking

- Advanced building techniques

Gender Roles

- Patriarchal societies

- Women's roles varied by social class

- Upper-class women: restricted home life

- Lower-class women: worked in public