World Civilization 1
Introduction
I. Themes in Early World History
A. Forces of Change 
Adaptations of Cultures
B. Organization of Societies
Power
Hierarchy
Wealth
Family
Gender
Religion
Philosophy
C. Variety of Interactions Between
Cultures
Trade
Warfare
Conquest
Cultural exchange
D. What is History?
Historical Interpretation
Historical Interpretation
1. Pose question
2. Analyze sources
3. Make interpretation
4. Write argument supported by
evidence
1. Question
Examples
 What effect did the
Neolithic Revolution
have on human
cultures?
 Why did the Neolithic
Revolution happen first
in Southwest Asia?
2. Analyze Sources


Primary sources
Secondary sources
Primary Sources





Bones
Tools
Archaeological
remains
Art
Texts
3. Make Interpretation

Argument
4. Support Interpretation or
Argument with Evidence
Characteristics of
Evidence
* “factual”
* Specific
* Names, dates,
places
II. Early Man (Paleolithic Age)
A. Dates
Older:
BC
AD
Before Christ
Anno domini (in the Year of
our Lord)
Newer:
BCE
Before Common Era
CE
Common Era
CE dates: go forward
BCE dates: go backward
B. Origin in Africa
200,000 BCE
Human Spread
C. Hunter-Gatherer Lifestyle
(economic form)
low population
density
nomadic
hunting-male,
gatheringfemale
(80%)
D. Social Organization
Small bands,
Egalitarian
E. Religion
Animism
Shamans
Exercise: Paleolithic Art
Paleolithic (Old Stone Age): 1,000,000
– 7000 BCE
Neolithic (New Stone Age): 7000 –
4000 BCE