The Development of Civilization
Prepared for Mr. Bsharah
By Chris Treadwell
History B1 Spring 2013

Civilization is defined as; an advanced state of cultural and material development in human society, marked by political and social complexity and progress in the arts and sciences. This wasn’t achieved easily, nor was it an ever-progressing movement. More so it was the product of several trial and error advancements in various fields of human endeavor. The starting point for all this advancement is known as the Neolithic Revolution, also referred to as the agricultural revolution. This was the shift from a nomadic hunter-gatherer culture to a more settled agricultural lifestyle.
The domestication of plants and animals was a major turning point in mankind’s evolution, but it took more than a millennia to transform from nomads to agrarians. Archeological data indicates that several different forms of plant and animal domestication evolved in separate locations worldwide. “The earliest Neolithic societies appeared in the Middle East about 8000 B.C.E., in China about 4000 B.C.E., and in India about 3600 B.C.E.” The first farming was largely grain based in fertile river-valleys with adequate climate and natural resources to sustain farming. Over time man began developing the where-with-all to change his surrounding environment to suit his needs even further.
Certain crops were grown in areas according to availability geographically and ease of production rather than chosen by preference. Not all attempts were successes; some crops were abandoned only to be produced with great ease a thousand years later. In some instances the crops actually adapted as a response to farming, through production plant species were less prone to natural selection and therefore had their own natural evolution altered. This led to eventually larger crops that were more useful to mankind.
The domestication of animals also went along with this process. It became more convenient to keep certain animals around for useful tasks. Some of the earliest domesticated animals included dogs, sheep, goats, cows, and pigs. Each animal provided a useful service in the form of work, food, material, or protection. As such it also became more economical to keep animals close to their settlements. Certain animals could provide more than a direct source of food, like leather, wool, hides, milk and fertilizer. These animals were renewable sources of valuable goods. As with crops, animals were chosen based on differing factors. The predominant factor being what animals were available in a given geographical area. Other factors included size, diet, mating, and ability to be utilized.
At first many of these plants and animals were domesticated in the areas where they naturally occurred, but developments soon made it possible to transfer these plants and animals to other areas such as river-valleys. Technical innovations also came to fruition, advancements in stone tool making, rudimentary metalworking and simple construction all spawned from the desire to improve cultivation and through it daily life. “The invention of pottery during the Neolithic age enabled people to store surplus foods and liquids, and to transport them, as well as to cook agricultural products that were difficult to eat or digest raw.” Food production required almost constant care to be successful; this led to the construction of somewhat permanent dwellings in early villages. Early Neolithic villages were self-sufficient and had a relatively small population, usually a few huts clustered around a common storage area. Though through innovation food production grew and with it the population of mankind.

Flash forward a few thousand years and we get to another turning point in mankind’s history, the birth of civilizations. The move to river valleys and the construction of villages eventually multiplied creating larger and more settlements in the same region. These settlements gave way to larger urban centers that could be called cities. The higher populations and abundance of food allowed for people to develop other areas of specialty, either in a direct support role to food production or in another sociological useful area. This was the beginning of urban life.
During this time social stratification began to emerge. Hierarchies were based on control of resources, family, political or religious authority, and personal wealth. Cities also began trading with other cities in the same basic area. Commodities mass produced in one urban center, could be traded for goods mass produced in another. Writing systems and art also began to emerge, as a way of communicating, management of food production, and general record keeping. Mathematics was also developed as a way of keeping records and business management. It is at this point we begin to see a rise in the development of weaponry for defense and protection from other cities.
Larger populations meant more problems, and the need to solve these problems spurred further development. The beginnings of complex forms of government arise from the need to manage larger populations. Religions began to emerge probably as a way of explaining what at the time was unexplainable. “Urbanism, technological, industrial, and social change, long distance trade, and new methods of symbolic communication- are defining characteristics of civilization.”

Multiply all these factors by many centuries and you eventually see the rise of very large civilizations. These civilizations by nature of their actions were each turning points in mankind’s history. The ancient Greeks made giant strides in art, science, thought, government, and architecture. The Chinese dynasties developed huge trade routes expanding culture in and out of china over thousands of years. The Roman Empire progressed art, engineering, trade, and government as well. These three great civilizations collectively made advancements that have benefitted mankind.
The third turning point I will discuss are four philosophical and religious revolutions. Between 800 and 300 B.C.E., these revolutions in thought and religion changed the history of the world. These were Chinese philosophy, Indian religion, Hebrew monotheism, and Greek philosophy.
Judaism covers more than 3000 years of man’s history. Of the major world religions, Judaism is considered one of the oldest monotheistic religions. Hebrew were the first people that were defined by a religious faith. They were also the first to emphasize the demands of a monotheistic god on the individual. The Jews spawned an interesting outlook on the human condition and history in general. The revolutionary interpretation of life, morals, history and uncompromising monotheism is the basis of Jewish culture.This monotheistic faith also began the development of two other major religions Christianity, and Islam. All three religions look to the same figure as the father of their respective faiths; Abraham. Through Judaism, Christianity, And Islam, monotheistic faced changed much of the world.

Chinese philosophy contained three major religions, Confucism, Daoism, and Legalism. Confucism was based on the teachings of its namesake Confucius, and was directed towards social and political issues as well as teaching people how to live ethically. Daoism provided an escape from social responsibilities, and legalism concerned itself almost entirely with law and punishment. These three schools of thought guided China through most of this early period.
Confucius lived from 551 B.C.E., to 479 B.C.E., regarded as a great teacher and noted scholar. Much of what Confucius taught is only known through his disciples. Their depictions of what they believed their masters teachings to be are collected and retold in The Analects. The philosophy of Confucius survived throughout Chinese history and carried with it social and political authority.
Daoism is a way out of the stringent demands of society and government. The general underlying principle of early Daoism is action through inaction. Since it is a common belief that any action one way will cause another reaction in the opposite direction, the best way to be at peace with nature is through doing as little as possible. As far as the Daoists’ were concerned the best ruler was the ruler of that did as little as possible. Daoisims main principles come from a man named Laozi,

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