Early River Civilizations
Unit 1: AP World History
Agenda for Today
1. Bell Ringer: What defines a “Civilization”?
2. Lecture: Early River Civilizations
3. Indus River Crash Course.
4. Document Analysis: Hammurabi’s Code
1.
Discussion of “An Eye for an Eye
5. Writing a Thesis Statement for AP
6. Comparison of Early River Civ’s
7. Bias in literature, The Lemon Tree
1.
Discussion of the home in Al-Ramla.
8. HW: Jared Diamond reading
The Emergence of Civilization
 As communities
become permanent,
protection and structure
is needed.
 Civilizations develop
with the onset of
several basic factors.
Defining a Civilization
 An Urban focus
 Political and Military
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Structures
Social Structures built
on economic power
Material culture
Distinct Religious
Structure
Development of Writing
New Artistic and
Intellectual Activity
Causes of Civilization
 Several Theories exist.
1. Uniting under a common
religious practice led to
the formation of
civilizations.
2. Specialization of labor,
and more wealth allowed
for government
structures.
3. They had to adapt, and
this meant creating a
stable environment for
survival.
Mesopotamia
 The basis of Sumer
were city-states.
 Religion was
polytheistic, and the
gods looked over the
cities.
 Ziggurats constructed
for worship.
 Origins of government
may be found in
religion. (Theocracy)
Government and Social Life
 Kings were regarded as
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near-gods.
Often lived in elaborate
homes, just like Priests.
Trade common with
India and Eastern Med.
Class System
Sargon and the
Akkadians.
Cuneiform
Egypt
 Extremely similar to
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Mesopotamia.
Divided into three
kingdoms, all under a
dynastic rule.
Pharoahs regarded as
near-gods.
Upper classes were
merchants, artisans.
Burial Methods:
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Mummification
Pyramids
The New Kingdom
 This is the final stable era
in Ancient Egypt.
 The Hyksos were driven
out (introduced the
chariot)
 Akhenaten would attempt
to make Egypt
monotheistic, only
worshipping the sun god.
 King Tut helps return
tradition to Egypt.
Persian Empire
 Led by Cyrus, very
expansive empire.

Took most of Asia and
the Middle East.
 Set up as satrapies.
 Individual provinces.
 Major Religion
 Zoroastrianism
 Struggle between
good and evil, use of
a final judgement.
Crash Course
 Studying the video on the Indus River Valley,
answer the following question:
 How does this qualify as a Civilization? Does
it meet all of the factors? Explain your
reasoning.
Jared Diamond Reading
 This reading draws connections to the
formation of Civilizations and borders.
 On Monday, you will have to explain in a
paragraph:

How does a government system form? How
are people kept in line? What is the purpose of
a centralized authority?