Creating a Civilization
Why do people settle in certain geographic locations? What does a growing civilization
need to survive? How do humans adapt to their environment? How does the Earth
impact the lives of Humans?
You are one of the first humans on Earth. You are the beginning of humanity. You and
your group need to discuss various geographic locations and figure out which is the most
ideal for your growing civilization. While keeping the questions above in mind, where will
you settle?
The Task
You need to create a civilization that is set up for success. Keep the following in mind:
___ You need to know your population.
(Each of your group members represents 20 people. Describe your culture and languages.)
___ What types of crops do you have?
(Research your area – what grows there? Is that enough for your civilization to survive
and grow?)
___ What types of animals are around?
(Are these animals beneficial to your survival? Can you eat them? Use them for work?)
___ What types of jobs would need to be done to keep the civilization thriving?
(Who determines who works? Where will the materials come from?)
___ Create 10 laws – all members of your group must agree on each law.
___ Create a flag for your civilization
___ Draw a map of your civilization (don’t forget good mapping skills)
___ What type of government will you have?
 Monarchy – government in which a royal family rules the nation (King/Queen)
 Oligarchy – government in which a small group of “important” people rule a
nation
 Democracy – government in which people make important decisions for their
own nation, normally done through representatives or voting.
 Theocracy – government in which a god or gods rule through people because
the entire country shares the same religion.
After choosing a form of government, answer these questions:
1. Why did you choose this type of government?
2. How will the government run in a manner that helps civilization?
The Product
Your final product should consist of the following:
 a written law document
 documentation (the answers to the worksheet questions)
 a map of the region showing geographic features and resources
 the flag or banner
 an oral presentation
Procedures/Activities:
1.) Choose a geographic location for your civilization. Draw a map of your region with all
required map elements (title, compass, legend, etc)
2.) Write a compact or law document for the civilization. Include the rights and
responsibilities of the civilians, the laws that govern the civilization, and the type of
government that the civilization will have. Answer the worksheet questions.
3.) Design a flag or banner to represent the colony. Consider basic designs and symbolism
of your flags shapes and figures. Use creative materials to display this on your poster.
4.) Share your work with the classmates.
5.) Students work will be graded on teamwork, overall work ethic, and critical thinking
skills to choose the most suitable location.
Colony Map
1.) Create a map of your region. You must demonstrate a clear understanding of the geography
and culture of the region.
2.) Your map will contain the following:
 Title of region
 Topographical markings showing at least 5 labeled landforms and features: mountains,
hills, plateaus, forests, deserts, rivers, bays, oceans, etc. You may use any feature more
than once. Include manmade features such as roads or paths
 Describe the predominant climate and natural resources of your region
 Place names and locations for the town(s) in your region.
 Include a compass rose and map legend /key of the landforms and resources
 Make sure the map is neat and legible – all labeling should be done in black ink
and the whole map should be colored
Political
This group is assigned the task of deciding how the civilization shall be governed.
Although you may wish to have a single individual who is ultimately responsible for the
overall running of the colony, order and efficiency cannot depend upon one person.
Assignment of various important functions shall need to be made. Consider the following
needs of the colony:
1. Who will rule the civilization? What offices are needed?
How will the laws be enforced? Who will enforce them?
Create a list of AT LEAST 10 laws that cover all aspects
of life in society (more than just criminal offenses, but
laws that dictate how people should live. (All people in the group must agree)
2. Will you have an army/military? What are the pros/cons?
3. Who controls the soldiers? Who pays them? Who houses them?
4. Who can own land? (Be specific about what qualifications they must have (age,
gender, etc.).
5. Will anyone be allowed to run for office? If so, how often and for what offices?
6. If people will vote, then who will be allowed to vote? What criteria will be used?
Economic
It is most important that the colonists survive and prosper. To that end, each person
must have something to employ their time to the best advantage of themselves and the
civilization. Not every person can or should be engaged in growing food, nor in any one
thing. There must be a balance among all the work so that every person is dependent on
the others to live. You must decide the following:
1. What will be the main business purposes of the colony? (Will it be agriculture,
hunting for pelts, mining for minerals, fishing, whaling, or something else?)
2. What important occupations must the civilians have and how will people be
trained for each of the occupations?
3. How many days per week and how many hours per day will people work?
4. How will things be paid for (currency or barter)? If currency, then describe it
(paper or coin).
Society
People in the civilization will be living from day to day. How well they live will be
determined by thy group. Your job is possibly the hardest job since your decisions will
affect every colonist personally. If you are wrong, it could cost some lives. Perhaps the
best way to approach your job is to follow a typical civilian through a day from the time
they get up until they go to sleep.
1. Describe a day from an adult's and a child's point of view. For the adult include
items such as work, tasks, chores, food, etc. For the child include items such as
school (if there is one), tasks, chores, food, and games.
2. Which religion(s) will your colony permit? What is the role of religion in your
colony?
3. What shall people be able to do for recreation?
4. What rules should be made concerning schooling, including subjects taught, rules
for attendance, discipline and support for the teacher?
5. What rules will you have concerning marriage (role of husband, wife, children, &
relatives)?
6. Will you have different social classes of people? If so, what are they? Can people
climb into a higher social class? If so, then how can they do so?
Reflection:
Why do people settle in certain geographic locations? What does a growing civilization
need to survive? How do humans adapt to their environment? How does the Earth
impact the lives of Humans?
In 2-3 paragraphs, apply what you have learned through this project to these
questions. What struggles did you have? How did you overcome them? Did you
have a hard time finding answers to certain questions? Why?