Complex Societies Appear
Driving Question: How did farming lead to the development of complex societies?
The invention of farming led to surpluses of food and increasing populations. People began to settle down and develop large societies. These societies needed people to do other jobs and rulers to enforce laws, which led to the creation of the first agrarian societies.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the formation and features of early complex societies.
- Compare and contrast early complex societies.
Vocab Terms:
- agrarian
- culture
- hierarchy
- society
- surplus
- trade
The invention of farming started a revolution, but how did it lead to even greater complexity?
The first year in human history in which more people lived in cities than rural areas was 2008. But to understand why this change happened, we have to go all the way back to the beginning!
Where Did the First Cities and States Appear?
Encourage students to make connections as they read by asking them to design a challenge question about the reading or how it relates to what they’re learning in class. Once students are done reading, have them meet with a partner and ask each other the challenge questions. Have student pairs try to answer each other’s question without going back to the text to find the answer.
Frankenstein-style empire building is a teacher and student favorite. Learn how teachers have used this activity in their classrooms and check out some “monstrous” student work in this conversation.
The following materials explore some of the earliest agrarian states. Your job is to choose the best features of each state to create a monster civilization.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you read
Preview the questions below, and then skim the article. Be sure to look at the section headings and any images.
While you read
Look for answers to these questions:
- How did geography and the environment shape the development of Mesopotamian societies?
- How did the environment shape the political structure of Mesopotamia?
- What were the cultural characteristics of Mesopotamian society?
- How was Mesopotamian society organized?
- What led to the decline and transformation of Mesopotamia?
After you read
Respond to this question: What are some other societies of the past or present that are shaped by their environments?
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Guiding Questions
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Before you watch
Preview the questions below, and then review the transcript.
While you watch
Look for answers to these questions:
- How did geography and the environment shape the development of Egyptian societies?
- How did the Nile River help Egyptian societies?
- What was the political and social structure of Egyptian society?
- Why did other societies want to control Egypt?
After you watch
Respond to this question: Why do you think people continue to be fascinated by ancient Egypt?
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Guiding Questions
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Before you read
Preview the questions below, and then skim the article. Be sure to look at the section headings and any images.
While you read
Look for answers to these questions:
- How did geography and the environment shape the Indus River Valley societies?
- What was the political structure of the Indus River Valley?
- What were the cultural characteristics of the societies in the Indus River Valley?
- How was society organized in the Indus River Valley?
- What led to the decline and transformation of Indus River Valley?
After you read
Respond to this question: What do you think happened to the societies of the Indus River Valley?
The extension clip in this lesson from Episode 7 of the Unknowns with David Christian podcast discusses the collapse of the Indus and Maya societies. You can use it after students complete the closer activity to extend the discussion about collapse or have students listen to it before they complete the closer to get them thinking about the reasons some societies collapsed.
Just as cities and states appear, they also sometimes fall. Take a closer look at how some of their stories end.
Why did some societies collapse? Listen in as David Christian and Peter Bellwood discuss some of these collapses and the questions we continue to ask about them.
Key Ideas
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Guiding Questions
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Before you listen
Preview the questions below, and then review the transcript.
While you listen
Look for answers to these questions:
- What does Peter Bellwood think is one of the biggest mysteries about early complex societies?
- What are two examples Peter Bellwood gives that illustrate these mysteries?
- How do we know that the Maya didn’t all die when their society collapsed?
After you listen
Respond to this question: Can you think of other societies that have been impacted, either positively or negatively, by environmental change?