Neolithic Revolution: The Rise Of Civilization

A. The Neolithic Revolution began around 9000 B.C.E. One of the first important developments of the period was the domestication of animals such as cattle, sheep, and pigs for food and labor. The arrival of agriculture also marked the beginning of this period. The transition into sedentary agriculture allowed more complex societies to form, eventually leading to the first civilizations. This period ended around 1000 B.C.E when these societies had reached a higher level of development. Agriculture had become much more commonplace by this point and civilizations had developed forms of government, language, culture, and technology.

B. The Neolithic Revolution, which took place between 9000 and 1000 B.C.E., was a key element in the rise of civilization.
Different societal views and norms divide the nations of the world and sometimes cause tensions. These include differences in the political systems such as the amount of power the executive holds, how officials are chosen, and how economic activity is regulated. For example, there are often divides and tensions between mainly capitalist and communist nations. Contrasts of social institutions often also differentiate cultures. For example, views on the dynamics between family members or the role of women can differ between societies. Practices that are common in one country may seem odd or even offensive to other cultures. There is also a large contrast between the lives of people in industrialized countries versus less-developed countries. Religion has also been a notorious cause of tension throughout history as well as in modern times. Religion can often dictate the values and views of a society. Therefore, different major religions or views on religion’s role in government can cause divisions between
Over the span of this time period, civilizations faced many of the same issues resulting in the development of common ideas and patterns. For example, leaders were often considered divine, omnipotent beings or at least possessed a considerable amount of power. This extreme reverence for kings was a concept held by most civilizations. Another pattern was the institutions of a social hierarchy. This appeared as the caste system in India and in China with a substantial divide between aristocrats, laborers, and the “mean people”. Another issue that early civilizations faced was the invasion of hostile nomadic people, especially the Huns. Development of weapons helped people defend their community.

Vocabulary

A. Institutions- common cultural or political practices, which are widely accepted

B. Homogeneous- composed elements that are all the