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Geography: The Agricultural Revolution

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Did you know? You can access an editable version of this activity: Google Doc or Word Doc
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 5.2ACTIVITY GEOGRAPHY: THE AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTIONUnless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Geography: The Agricultural Revolution”, OER Project, https://www.oerproject.com/1PurposeUnderstanding the relationship between geography and farming will help you see how agriculture began independently in different parts of the world.You will also explore the ways geography provided both opportunities and challenges for early farming societies.Key information•Geographic opportunities like fertile and flat soils, reliable water sources, and favorable climates made some regions better than others for farming.•Geographic challenges like mountain highlands and rainforests made it necessary for people to develop innovative farming techniques to overcome their environments.Process1.Use the information about the crops in the table on the next pageto match each crop with the map location (on page 3) where it was first grown. Consider the environmental requirements of each crop and the climate of the society’s location on the map.
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 5.2ACTIVITY GEOGRAPHY: THE AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION2CropEnvironmental requirementsCircle oneExplainwhy you chose that locationSquashClimate: Warm, sunny weather (temperate and tropical)Soil type: Rich, well-drained soilA B C D E FCottonClimate: Warm and sunny with little rain (tropical/subtropical)Soil type: Dry, well-drained soilA B C D E FSugarcaneClimate: Hot, tropical areas with lots of rain (tropical)Soil type: Deep, moist soilA B C D E FWheatClimate: Cool weather, not too much rain (temperate)Soil type:Soft, fertile soilA B C D E FPotatoesClimate: Cool, not too hot (temperate and high altitude)Soil type: Loose, well-drained soilA B C D E FRiceClimate: Warm, humid weather (tropical or subtropical)Soil type: Heavy rain, flooded soilA B C D E F
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 5.2ACTIVITY GEOGRAPHY: THE AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION3Locations
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 5.2ACTIVITY GEOGRAPHY: THE AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION42.Once you’ve completed the table, answer these questions:•What were three geographic advantages that made some places great for early farming?•What geographic challenges do you think early farming societies faced?•How do you think early farmers overcame these challenges?