CH 2 Blog

       In chapter two, we looked at some of the worlds first civilizations. According to the book, a civilization is more complex societies that were based in bustling cities and governed by formal states. A map pm pages 64-65 shows us 6 of these civilizations, and were they were located throughout the world. These included the Olmec civilization of southern Mexico; Norte Chico civilization of South America, the Nile Valley civilizations of North Africa; Mesopotamian civilization; Indus Valley civilization; and the ancient Chinese civilization. Looking at the Indus Valley civilization, which was located in what is not India and Pakistan, we can see they had things ahead of time. For example, this civilization had flushing toilets, something that most would not have during their time. Additionally, this civilization had a standard size for bricks. Although this might not seem significant, however, this allowed them to be very precise with their construction and city planning. This civilization also did not seem to be very interested in creating elaborate palaces, temples, elaborate graves or kings. Archeological evidence suggests that this civilization had little signs of political hierarchy or a centralized government. 

       The Chinese were another civilization that I found interesting. Emperor Wu, of the Xia dynasty reportedly "mastered the waters and made them flow in great channels." (62) This was done through vast projects to control floods throughout China. In comparison to the Indus Valley civilization, the Chinese were very extravagant with their burials. For example, there were massive elaborate burial sites for the emperors, and thousands of people were used as sacrificial victims to accompany the emperor into the next life. The emperors ruled through the "mandate of heaven." This concept was that the emperor ruled between heaven and earth, as long as he governed with benevolence and maintained social harmony with his people. 

       Another civilization that I enjoyed reading about was the Olmec civilization. This civilization was located in what is not Southern Mexico, near the Gulf of Mexico. The Olmecs took shape around 1200 B.C., and may have created the first written language of the Americas by around 900 B.C. They are also regarded as the "mother-civilization" of the Americas. 

       We learned that because of the growth of urban development, sponsored by the calorie surplus brought fourth by the agricultural revolution, there was an increase in social inequalities. The first civilizations laid the first social inequalities, which were in wealth, status and power. The upper classes in the first civilizations were able to enjoy wealth through land and salaries, and were also able to avoid manual labor. At the far end of the social spectrum were slaves, where they were at the bottom of any civilization. These slaves would come as prisoners of war, criminals, or even debtors. There was also an increase in gender hierarchy. Patriarchy became the norm throughout the world. Men enjoyed legal property rights that was something unknown to most women. Also, public life was associated as masculine, and men were seen as the natural rulers.