Research the two civilizations that you did not describe in this week’s Discussion
Board.
• First, discuss why you think the two civilizations developed where they did.
o For example, why would civilization develop in the northeast corner of
Africa but not farther west?
o What role did rivers play in the development of civilization?
o Was climate a factor in early civilizations?
• Compare and contrast the two civilizations you have chosen in these three areas:
political structures, writing, and the organization of their society.
Sample Answer
In early human history, the "Cradle of Civilization" did not appear randomly across the globe. Instead, it was meticulously carved out by environmental lifelines, primarily river systems, which dictated where humanity could transition from nomadic wandering to settled, complex societies.
Part I: Why Civilizations Developed Where They Did
The development of civilizations was less a choice of "where to live" and more a response to where survival was sustainable.
The Power of Rivers (The Lifeblood): Rivers were the single most important factor. Civilizations in Mesopotamia (Tigris and Euphrates) and Egypt (Nile) flourished because rivers provided three critical needs:
Irrigation: They allowed for large-scale agriculture in otherwise arid regions.
Fertile Soil: Annual flooding (especially the predictable flooding of the Nile) deposited nutrient-rich silt, essentially "renewing" the farmland every year.
Transportation: Rivers acted as the first "highways," allowing for the trade of surplus grain for resources like timber and stone.