Answer:1. Advanced Cities
As farmers settled in the fertile river valley, they began to grow
surplus or extra food. This extra food increased the population
of the settlement that led to the formation of cities.
A city is a large group of people who live together in a specific
space. A city is usually a center for trade, and city dwellers
create goods that can be traded along with services for the city.
2. Organized Central Government
Definition: a government with rules and way of voting or control
Explanation: The growing population of cities made government or
a system of ruling necessary. Leaders emerged to maintain order
and establish laws. Governments began to oversee the business or
running and maintaining the cities. All civilizations have a system of
government to direct people’s behavior and make life orderly. They
also make and enforce laws, collect taxes, and protect its citizens.
Examples:
Guided Notes #2
Characteristics of a Civilization
3. Complex Religions
Definition: a set of spiritual beliefs, values, and practices
Explanation: Religious leaders would conduct elaborate ceremonies
to appease the gods and insure a bountiful harvest. Floods and
droughts were blamed on the gods’ anger so rituals were conducted
in the temples.
Examples:
4. Job Specialization
Definition: specific jobs with requirements or specialties
Explanation: As cities grew, so did the need for
specialized workers. No longer could individuals do all the
work. Food surplus provided for the need for specialized
skills from workers. Specialization helped workers refine
their skills and specialize on one specific task.
Examples:
5. Social Classes
Definition: a broad group in society having common economic,
cultural, or political status/ Distinguished from other groups by such
things as wealth, property, and rights
Explanation: As jobs became specialized so did the status and need
for certain individuals. For instance, the need for a knowledgeable
and educated religious leader was more RESPECTED than an
unskilled worker. Herders were NEEDED and RESPECTED for the
food while masons were needed for building.
Examples:
Guided Notes #2
Characteristics of a Civilization
6. Writing
Definition: to trace or form (characters, letters, words, etc.) on the
surface of some material, as with a pen, pencil, or other instrument
Explanation: Records were needed to keep account on trade goods
and food storage. Writing was needed because the information
became too great.
Examples:
7. Art and Architecture
Definition: the arts and artwork of a thing, place, time, person, etc.;
human creations intended to express beauty and convey messages
Architecture: the buildings and style or architecture of a thing, place,
time, person, etc.
Explanation: All civilizations have a highly developed culture
including the arts. Arts include creative forms of expression such as
painting, architecture, literature, and music.
Examples:
8. Public Works
Definition: structures, as roads, dams, or post offices, paid for by
government funds for public use.
Explanation: The government would order these, although costly to
aid and benefit the community.
