BIG HISTORY 2

AGRARIAN CIVILIZATION

In a comprehensive video presented by These newer societies paved the way for the
David Christian entitled Where and Why did following to transpire:
the First Cities and States Appear?
(https://www.bighistoryproject.com/chapters/4 ✓ New Social and Political
#the-first-cities-and-states), he defined agrarian structures
civilization as societies that began with simple
farming and became more complex as food
✓ Hierarchies
production increased. Further, it was ✓ Power relations
mentioned that because of surplus crops, people ✓ Business and Trade
living in agrarian civilizations could specialize in
jobs other than farming. New roles and complex, ✓ Monetary System
interdependent societies emerged. Elites, ✓ Religion
farmers, and the menial classes became
✓ Architecture
intertwined and the toeholds of the first cities
took shape. States began to function as a ✓ Writing
coordinating mechanism among these But along with the many contributions
sophisticated relationships. And the state could brought about by the rise of agrarian
impose its will by force. civilizations, what other scenarios did it
present? What led to an ever-increasing rise
Interestingly, agriculture brought about many in development in all aspects of human
contributions which led to the modern living? What prompted nations to interact
revolution. Population boom, along with seeing
with each other and maintain connections?
the need to stay in one place, summoned the
Even during those times, there were
creation of communities and societies;
dynamic human activities and
therefore, introducing the first states with more
diverse needs, wants, abilities, and contributions interconnections; collective learning made
to the society we know now. many things happen.

Increasing Creation of Communities

population Sedentary and Societies
in certain Living
areas

AGRARIAN CIVILIZATIONS & FIRST STATES

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BIG HISTORY 2

Cuneiform
-the oldest known writing system

Hieroglyphics
-Egyptians’ own form of writing
system

Belief Systems and Faith

They developed ideas on how to
explain the conditions of their
environment; thus, the
establishment of religions.

Power Stratification
Due to the advancement of societies

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Power and Gender

✓ Role and status of men and women
clearly defined
✓ WOMEN at the forefront (Neolithic
Revolution)
• Women as first agriculturists
• Women as homemakers

Top-Down Theory
• Coercive Power
• May involve violence

Bottom-Up Theory
• Power based on CONSENT
• Social Contract Theory

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