6 Characteristics of Civilization

Characteristic Things to think about

Environment - the climate -Natural resources that

and terrain where people will influence an
live economy
-Weather patterns that
influence living habits
-geographic features that
determine (in)security
-diseases that civilization
may be exposed to

Economics - how groups of - labour system (slaves,

people manage their paid employees)
resources -trade networks (both on
land and by water)
-imports and exports
(what they trade and
need from other cultures)
-monetary system (how
they pay for items)
Politics - how people
manage, divide and allocate
power
Society - how people
organize themselves
amongst each other
-political structures
-defining borders
-protecting, maintaining,
and expanding their
territory
-managing domestic
(internal) issues
-revolts and revolutions
-family and kinship
-gender roles
-racial and ethnic
relationships
-social classes
Culture - how people define -language
and distinguish themselves -religion
from other cultures -eating habits
-arts
-architecture
-sports
-leisure

Technology - products, -the outcome of

inventions, and ideas that problem-solving
people develop to help their
life
Questions for Tuesday’s Socratic Seminar: You will need details from today’s civilization to help you answer these questions.

What do you think makes a strong civilization?

What do you think can make a civilization fall?

If you had to design a perfect civilization, what 1-2 areas above would you focus on? Why?

How strong of a civilization do you think China is today? Explain why.