Unit 1 Study Guide

Civilization along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

• Mesopotamia

• Egypt

• Indus Valley

• Ancient Greece

How agriculture changed early human societies

• Allowed for permanent settlements and population growth

• Increased nomadic lifestyles

• Decreased food production

• Led to the extinction of many species

Influence of the Nile River on Egyptian civilization

• It provided fertile land and transportation.

• It caused frequent flooding that destroyed crops.

• It served as a barrier against invasions.

• It was primarily used for fishing and hunting.

Hammurabi's significance in the history of early civilizations

• He created one of the earliest written law codes.

• He was the first ruler to unify all of Mesopotamia.

• He invented the wheel and the plow.

• He established the first known democracy.

Role of religion in early civilizations

• Helps unify people and justify leadership

• Promotes individualism and personal freedom

• Encourages scientific exploration and innovation

• Creates divisions among different social classes

Essential geographic feature for early river valley civilizations

• Mountains

• Deserts

• Rivers

• Forests

Major achievement of the Persian Empire

• Development of a postal system and road network.

• Construction of the Great Wall of China.

• Establishment of the Silk Road trade route.

• Invention of the wheel.

Shang China

Which early civilization developed oracle bones and bronze casting?

• Zhou China

• Han China

• Shang China

• Qin China

Ancient empire associated with the development of monotheism

• Egypt

• Babylon

• Israel

• Greece

One major economic change caused by the development of agriculture

• Emergence of trade and surplus goods

• Increase in nomadic lifestyles

• Decline in population density

• Reduction in food variety