Tanya Hertel

Chris Hilgeman

US History

August 29th, 2019

Ranking Civilizations

Definition of “civilization” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary: “A relatively high

level of cultural and technological development, specifically, the stage of cultural development at

which writing and the keeping of written records is attained.”

Most Civilised: West African Societies

● Trade brought a lot of new ideas, beliefs, and food.

● There were laws and tax systems

● In Songhai, there were government officials, taxes, and regulated trade.

● In Benin, there was an organized government and a system that regulated trade and

industries that involved gold and brass.

● The people of Kongo made very strong tools and weapons and also mined iron ore.

● According to Portuguese sailors that went to Kongo in 1483, it was very similar to

Europe at that time.

● The system of government used in Kongo were nearly identical to the one used in

Europe.

● People used marriage to create larger and, therefore, stronger families.

Moderately Civilised: European Societies

● Most people lived in small villages

 ● There was a significant social hierarchy, where the majority of the population were

peasants.

● The pope and bishops had a lot of influence on political decisions.

● The Renaissance encouraged people to pursue the arts, and science, which helped Europe

develop very quickly in those areas.

● People owned private property

Least Civilised: North American Societies

● Generally hunter-gatherers

● Tribes on the coast used tools like slingshots and nets to hunt, while others gathered nuts

and shellfish.

● Wealth was determined by totem poles and potlatches, (ceremony where a family give

away large amounts of their wealth to others).

● Developed their own irrigation systems.

● People mostly travelled by foot or used canoes.

● Tribes either elected or inherited the position of leader.

● The majority of people in the Southwest and Southeast of North America were farmers.
 Works Cited

“Civilization.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster,

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civilization

“Pre-Colonization European Society.” Khan Academy, Khan Academy,

www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/precontact-and-early-colonial-era/before-

contact/a/pre-colonization-european-society.

Schulman, Marc. Native Americans Prior to 1492, www.historycentral.com/Indians/Before.html.

“The Americas, Europe, and Africa before 1492.” We're Never Far from Where We Were, 25

Apr.

2018, brewminate.com/the-americas-europe-and-africa-before-1492/.