The Neolithic Revolution
Study Guide
1. The Neolithic Revolution
The beginning of the Neolithic Revolution
was caused by a several factors. The
geographic factor that probably contributed
most to the Neolithic Revolution was climate
change. The geographic factor of climate
change would have caused a longer growing
season for farmers.
2. The Neolithic Revolution
After the Neolithic Revolution, humans
no longer HAD to hunt animals. As a
result of the Neolithic revolution they
started Animal Domestication (using
them and raising them for food).
3. The Neolithic Revolution
The Neolithic Revolution led to an
alteration in the social patterns in
humans. Because humans no longer had
to hunt and gather their food they were
able to stay in one place. The Neolithic
Revolution led to the creation of settled
communities.
4. The Neolithic Revolution
The Neolithic Revolution also caused several other
changes in Human societies: the population began
growing much faster, advanced cities began growing
along rivers and deltas, and specialized laborers
working different jobs began to produce more
intricate and complex products. A change in human
society which did NOT happen because of the
Neolithic Revolution was that people began using
bone and stone tools.
5. The Neolithic Revolution
Another aspect of civilization that the
Neolithic revolution led to was the
development of government. The transition
to farming influenced government because
governments were needed to set laws and
provide order for the people.
6. Early Societies
There are four early civilizations that we have
discussed in this unit: Nile River Valley
(Egypt), Mesopotamia (between the Tigris
and Euphrates), Indus River Valley (India)
and the Huang He (Yellow River) and
Yangtze River – both in China.
7. Early Societies
The location of these civilization was heavily
influenced by one thing: Early river valley
civilizations began near rivers to use as
transportation and a fresh water source.
8. Early Societies
Several things indicate Civilization.
Civilization is indicated by government,
culture, laws, currency, written language,
and social structure.
9. Early Societies
Several historical artifacts can indicate
civilization such as : A metal coin (currency),
A piece of woven silk, and a clay tablet with
writing. A historical artifact that does NOT
indicate civilization is a fish hook made of
bone.
10. Early Societies
Early civilizations arose from about 8,000 BC to
500 BC. Early societies were characterized by
several things: they had the first organized
governments, they had the first systems of
writing, and they had the first major religions.
Early societies during the era of Early
Civilizations were NOT characterized by the first
use of gunpowder.
11. Early Societies
One of the location for an early civilization
was the Indus River valley in India.
Sometimes the early Indus River
Valley settlements sometimes forced to
change location because the Indus River
occasionally changed course.
12. Early Societies
The Nile River in Egypt flooded regularly
every year which had the effect of renewing
the soil and making it very good for farming.
Egypt was called the “Gift of the Nile”
because the annual flooding and irrigation
from the Nile provided for farming in a
desert region.
13. Early Societies
A theocracy is when a government is run by a
religion. The early civilization of Egypt (Nile
River valley) was ruled by a pharaoh know as
a god-king. Because their government and
religion were tied together like that Egypt
was considered a theocracy.
14. Early Societies
With the rise of early civilizations building
became more important and common. An
architectural achievement that is attributed
to the Egyptian are the Pyramids of Giza.
15. Early Societies
Hammurabi was a Babylonian ruler. He codified
hundreds of laws and set out penalties for
violating those laws. This was known as
Hammurabi’s Code. Hammurabi’s Code had a
lasting impact because the laws were made
more consistent and predictable. Hammurabi’s
Code is first (and most famous) codified law in
history.
16. Early Societies
The early civilization in China was ruled by
dynasties. A Dynasty is characterized by a
family maintaining power for several
generations.
17. Early Religions
There were four early religions discussed in
this unit: Judaism, Confucianism, Buddhism
and Hinduism. The origins of Buddhism and
Hinduism were similar because they both
began in the same country.
18. Early Religions
Confucianism was started by Confucius in
what is now China. The objective which was
a primary goal of Confucianism was to
restore social order through proper
behavior.
19. Early Religions
•The Aryan people were an ancient people
that moved into India and brought a religion
with them. The religion the Aryan people
brought to the Indus River Valley was
Hinduism.
20. Maps and Charts
Site of Ancient
Civilizations
Documents
Influencing
Modern Law
Euphrates River Declaration of
Independence
Huang He (Yellow Hammurabi’s
River)
Code
Indus River
Nile River
Tigris River
Major World
Religions
Buddhism
Christianity
Hinduism
Islam
Judaism
21. Maps and Charts
A + Nile River valley (Egypt)
C = Mesopotamia (Between the
Tigris and Euphrates
22. Venn Diagram