Chapter 2 Review Sheet

How did/does the geography/environment affect/effect civilization/development/change?

People

Mesopotamia
Geography
A. Tigris & Euphrates Rivers (often overflow)
B. Unpredictable floods, so people developed irrigation systems to domesticate water.
C. Thus, people had fertile soil year-round, so the region was also known as the Fertile Crescent or the cradle of life.

History
Mesopotamian history also introduced the domestication of humans.
A. City-states of Sumer (example Ur, Uruk)
Economic was based on farming, which lead to rise of
trade and industry.
City-states fought each other for fertile land.
B. The first empire in history was the Akkadian Empire ruled by King Sargon (ruled by only one person)
C. Babylonian Empire, King Hammurabi had a collection of 282 laws written on stone pillars along with punishments. Deterrence – fear of being punish and Justice
After his death, kings after were weak and unable to keep the kingdom united
D. Assyrian Empire, Kings had absolute powers and laws, people are good at conquering others. (Rule by terror)
E. Second Babylonian Empire, King Nebuchanezzar ruled by money, his time was luxurious, therefore the splendor pf Chaldean Babylonian proved to be short-lived.
Splendor- built Hanging Garden (for one of his wives) + Tower of Babel
F. Persian Empire, Cyrus was known as releasing the Babylonian Captivity Jews back to their homeland and Dairus (ruler after his son[Cambyses]) had moved to Europe and created the largest Empire, famous because of his wisdom, mercy and kindness

Religion/Government
A. Epic of Gilgamesh- Mesopotamia Epic poem that record the story of their King Gilgamesh à how he domesticated human
B. Code of Hammurabi – justice system, criminal punishment
C. Ruled by terror- (Assyrian Empire) conquered others violently
D. Ruled by money- (Second Babylonian Empire) luxurious, splendor
E. Ruled by mercy- (Persian Empire) released the enslaved Jews.

The changes happened differently and unpredictable. People were civilized because of domestication.

Egyptian
Geography
A. Nile River
B. Predictable/ Seasonal floods – Miracle of the Nile à Resurrection of Osiris & Fertile Soil

History
A. Old Kingdom
B. Middle Kingdom
C. New Kingdom
All have Pharaoh, Vizier, and Bureaucracy
Changes were predictable, just like the floods.

Religion/Government (Polyneistic)
A. The Miracle of Nile – Believe it will bring back life
B. Symbolize the resurrection of Osiris and Soil (Fertility) by Nile River

Central Asian Nomads Pastoral Nomads (Bring herd with them)
Geography
A. No rivers so it was arid climate
B. In between two giant civilizations (Egypt and Mesopotamia)
C. The nomads (mostly tribes) were stateless wanderers, they always have heard of animals with them for foods and clothing

History
A. Canaanites (Indo-European)- came from Central Asia in tribes at different times. They were traders and farmers. First to settle in the region
B. Philistines (sea people)
C. Phoenicians- Invented Semitic Alphabet
D. Hebrewsà United to fight Philistines
E. United Kingdom – Break apart into two kingdoms
F. Kingdom of Israel à was attacked by the Assyrians
G. 10 Lost Tribes à Escaped
H. Kingdom of Judah à conquered by the Chaldeans
I. Babylonian Captivity à people were enslaved.

Religion/ Government
A. Judaism (monotheistic)
Need omnipresent mobile god (god they can carry around because they were nomads)
Yahweh
B. Abraham (prophet)à willing to sacrifice his son to Yahweh
Sons- Ishmael à founder of Islam
Isaac à founder of Christianity
C. Moses’ (prophet) Exodus- 10 commandments
- led the enslaved Jews out of Egypt


Thailand
Geography
A. Chao Phraya river valley
B. Predictable flood

History
A. Sukhothai Kingdom
B. Ayutthaya Kingdom
C. Thonburi Kingdom
D. Rattanakosin Kingdom