Agricultural/Neolithic Revolution and River Valley Civilizations with World Religions (Lecture Notes)

Flashcards cover the Agricultural/Neolithic Revolution, River Valley Civilizations with their key features, and major world religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, Christianity) as presented in the notes.

When and where did the Agricultural/Neolithic Revolution begin?

Around 10,000 BCE in the Fertile Crescent, later spreading worldwide.

What transition did humans undergo during the Agricultural/Neolithic Revolution?

From nomadic hunter-gatherers to farming and domesticating animals.

What were the main outcomes of the Neolithic Revolution?

Permanent settlements (villages/cities) and surplus food leading to population growth.

What social changes accompanied the Neolithic Revolution?

Specialization of labor and increased social hierarchies and gender inequality.

Mesopotamia: Where is it located and what are its key features?

Located between the Tigris and Euphrates; city-states, cuneiform, Hammurabi's Code, ziggurats.

Egypt: Where is it located and what are its key features?

Located along the Nile; Pharaohs, pyramids, hieroglyphs, centralized rule.

Indus Valley: Where is it located and what are its key features?

Located along the Indus River; urban planning, undeciphered writing.

China: Which river valley and what are its key features?

Yellow River (Huang He); dynasties, ancestor worship, oracle bones.

Mesoamerica: Which civilization is represented and what are its features?

Olmecs; monumental architecture and maize farming.

Hinduism: Origin and core beliefs?

Origin in India (~1500 BCE; Aryan & Dravidian blend); beliefs in reincarnation, karma, dharma, caste system, moksha.

What are the sacred texts of Hinduism?

Vedas and Upanishads.

Buddhism: Founder, core beliefs, and spread?

Siddhartha Gautama (~500 BCE); Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, Nirvana; rejects caste; spread from India to Asia via Ashoka and trade.

Confucianism: Founder, core beliefs, and impact?

Confucius (~500 BCE); order through ethics, filial piety, five relationships; influenced education, bureaucracy, and patriarchy.

Daoism (Taoism): Founder, core beliefs, and impact?

Laozi (~500 BCE); harmony with nature, Dao (the Way), yin-yang; influenced arts, medicine, science, and favored minimal government.

Legalism: Where, beliefs, and impact?

China during the Qin Dynasty (~221 BCE); strict laws, harsh punishments, centralized power; led to a unified China and the construction of the Great Wall.

Christianity: Founder, beliefs, and spread?

Jesus (~1st century CE); monotheism, salvation, love, forgiveness; spread by Apostles and Paul; Rome made it official.