AP World Chapter 1 Homework
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Chapter 1: From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations
Part I: From Hunting and Gathering to Civilizations
The Origins
2.5 million – 1000 B.C.E.
AP World Chapter 1 Homework
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Chapter 1: From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations
Introduction: Chapter introductions are a valuable guide to the material you are about to read, telling you
what topics will be covered and how they fit together. If you keep the “big picture” provided by the introduction
in mind as you read the chapter, you will find it much easier to organize your notes, identify important
information, and avoid getting lost in the details. With this in mind, re-read the introduction to Chapter 1. As
you read, make a list of the key topics you expect to learn about.
Key Topics:
AP World Chapter 1 Homework
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Chapter 1: From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations
1. Human Life in the Era of Hunters and Gatherers
As you read this section in your textbook, complete the following outline of the section to identify main ideas in
each paragraph as well as the key words that inform those ideas.
I.
Human Species
A. Emerged 2 to 2.5 million years ago
1.
2.
B. Paleolithic (Old Stone) Age accounts for two million plus years of human development
1.
2.
II.
Late Paleolithic Developments
A. Homo sapiens originated about 240,000 years ago
1.
2.
B. . Greatest achievement of Paleolithic people: sheer spread of species across the earth
1.
2.
C. Mesolithic (Middle Stone) Age
1.
2.
D. More dramatic changes occur in Neolithic (New Stone) Age
1.
2.
AP World Chapter 1 Homework
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Chapter 1: From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations
2. The Neolithic Revolution As you read this section in your textbook, complete the following outline of
the section to identify main ideas in each paragraph as well as the key words that inform those ideas.
I.
Development of Agriculture
A. Conditions for agricultural development
1.
2.
B. The Domestication of Plants and Animals
1.
2.
II.
The geography of Early Agriculture
A. Farming initiated in Middle East
1.
2.
B. Meaning of “revolution”
1.
2.
III.
Patterns of Change
A. Rewards of agricultural life
1.
2.
B. Some hunting gathering societies persisted
1.
2.
IV.
Further Technological Change
A. Agriculture required new techniques, knowledge, and tools
1.
2.
B. First big change: metal tools introduced in Middle East around 4000 B.C.E
1.
2.
AP World Chapter 1 Homework
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Chapter 1: From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations
3. The Neolithic Revolution As you read this section in your textbook, complete the following chart to
summarize the eras of prehistory before and after the introduction of agriculture.
Eras of Prehistory
Life Before Farming
Life After Farming
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AP World Chapter 1 Homework
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Chapter 1: From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations
4. Civilization As you read this section in your textbook, complete the following chart with details from the
next to summarize the definition of civilization.
The Development of Civilization
Rise of Cities and Civilizations
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Features of Civilizations
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Changes Over Time
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AP World Chapter 1 Homework
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Chapter 1: From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations
5. Civilization As you read this section in your textbook, complete the following chart with details from the
City-States
Sumerian
text to identify the main ideas about the Sumerian city-states.
AP World Chapter 1 Homework
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Chapter 1: From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations
6. Civilization As you read this section in your textbook, complete the following chart details from the text to
identify the main ideas about early civilizations.
Early Civilizations
Egyptian Civilization
Great Cities of the Indus
Valley
Early Civilization in China
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AP World Chapter 1 Homework
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Chapter 1: From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations
7. The Heritage of the River Valley Civilizations As you read this section in your textbook, complete
the following outline with details from the text to summarize the contributions of the river valley civilizations.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Lasting Impact
A. Monuments and like pyramids
1.
2.
B. foundations of all later civilizations
1.
2.
Heritage of Early Civilizations
A. India: much ignorance of link between early and later civilizations
1.
2.
B. Claim that Western civilization originated in Middle East and Egypt not precise
1.
2.
New Societies of the Middle East
A. Connection between early and later civilizations found in smaller cultures
1.
2.
B. Phoenicians
1.
2.
Judaism
A. Jews most influential of smaller Middle Eastern groups
1.
2.
B. . Judaism survives to this day, also basis of Christianity and Islam
1.
2.
Assessing the Early Civilization Period
A. Legacy that flourished, persisted, and spread across Europe, Africa, Asia
1.
2.
B. Significant theme: proliferating contact against backdrop of fierce local identity
1.
2.
AP World Chapter 1 Homework
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Chapter 1: From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations
Short Answer Section: After reading and studying the chapter, review your understanding by answering
each of the following questions, which emphasize important ideas within the chapter.
1. What characteristics are associated with civilization?
2. Describe the culture of Paleolithic hunting and gathering societies.
3. How did the Neolithic revolution transform the material life and social organization of human communities?
AP World Chapter 1 Homework
Chapter 1: From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations
4. Why did civilization begin in Mesopotamia?
5. What defined civilization in Sumerian culture?
6. What centers of civilization other than Egypt and Mesopotamia developed in the Middle East?
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AP World Chapter 1 Homework
Chapter 1: From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations
Directions: Label and color the map (this must be colored neatly and clearly in the correct location)
Label
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Mediterranean Sea
Nile River
Cairo
Thebes
Memphis
Meroe
Ur
Akkad
Babylon
Sinai Peninsula
Tigris River
Euphrates River
Color
1.
2.
3.
4.
Nile River Valley
Sumer Empire
Babylonian Empire
Fertile Crescent
Map Questions (answer in complete sentences)
1. What was the importance of the Nile River to Egypt
2. What problem(s) could the Nile Delta face
3. What body of water does the Nile empty out of
4. How did Sumer’s location allow the civilization to have specialized workers
5. How would you describe in geographical terms what Mesopotamia was like
6. Why would the region of Mesopotamia be a defining characteristic for the region
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AP World Chapter 1 Homework
Chapter 1: From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations
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