The Emergence of Cities and States

1
Chapter 12

• The Emergence of Cities and States

2
Chapter Outline

• When and where did the worlds first cities first
  develop?
• What changes in culture accompanied the rise of
  cities?
• Why did cities develop into states?

3
The Worlds First Cities

• Grew out of Neolithic villages between 6,000 and
  4,500 y.a.
• First in Mesopotamia, then in Egypt and the Indus
  Valley.
• In China, the process began 5,000 y.a.

4
Early Civilizations
5
Four Culture Changes in Transition to Cities

1. Agricultural innovation
2. Diversification of labor.
3. Emergence of central government
4. Social stratification

6
Agricultural Innovation

• Ancient Sumerians built an irrigation system that
  enabled them to control water resources and
  increase crop yields.
• The ancient Maya constructed raised fields in
  seasonally flooded swamplands to supplement
  slash-and-burn farming.

7
Diversification of Labor

• Some people could provide sufficient food and
  others could work as artisans and craftspeople.
• Led to the development of new technologies and
  the beginnings of extensive trade systems.
• Sciences such as geometry and astronomy were
  first developed.

8
Emergence of Central Government

• Made sure that different interest groups did not
  infringe on one anothers rights.
• Ensured that the city was safe from its enemies
  by constructing fortifications.
• Levied taxes and appointed tax collectors.

9
Social Stratification

• Ways archaeologists recognize stratification in
  ancient civilizations
• The size of dwellings
• Written documents
• Correspondence

10
Writing Was Independently Invented Five Times
11
Theories of Civilization

• Hydraulic theory - effort to build and control an
  irrigation system required a degree of social
  organization that eventually led to civilization.
• Trade networks - a system was needed to
  distribute food products throughout the
  population.

12
Theories of Civilization

• Circumscription - civilization develops where
  populations are circumscribed by environmental
  barriers or other societies.
• Religious theories - beliefs and values regulate
  interaction between people and their environment.
• Action theory - focuses on the actions of leaders
  who play a role in social change.

13
Problems in Civilizations

• Sanitation problems and a large number of people
  in close proximity made infectious diseases
  rampant.
• Dense population, class systems, and a strong
  centralized government created internal stress.
• Warfare was common Cities were fortified, and
  armies served to protect the state.