Similar to the spread of agriculture, civilization was a universal occurrence. It appeared in numerous parts of the globe. Since Eurasia and Mesoamerican civilizations diverged before 1500, they had some things in common. Evidence indicated that a few sculptures, carvings, sketches, and works of art that were an alternative to writing were found by archaeologists along the Pacific shore. (Nelson and Strayer 87). Similar to how the Amerindian society transitioned from farming to pottery and carvings used for commerce. Additionally, Americans began to construct the walls of their religious buildings by carving stones, which resulted in the construction of incredibly intricate religious structures of all sizes and forms. The ancient Egyptians from Africa, carved stones also to build pyramids for noble heads as a means of governing and enforcement of rules and culture. Lastly, mechanized farming was practiced with grain-based farming in Mesoamerica that resulted in the introduction of irrigation of their farmlands. The inland people in the river valleys in the “Mesoamerican civilization used irrigation agriculture on the grain-based farming, and maize (corn) derived ultimately from Mesoamerica” (87). With the Nile river in place, the Eurasian civilization was evident in the introduction of irrigation such as canoes and canals on the river valleys. The one that stood out as the most important was the adoption of mechanized farming that brought about the Agrarian revolution. More farmland outputs were generated that enhanced trade leading to different civilizations like the production of buildings. “Irrigated agriculture provided the economic foundation in ancient Egyptians” (87).
Question 2
Ming China, Renaissance Europe and the civilizations of the Islamic world represent periods of cultural renewal in that widely shared identities of cultures that set a separation boundary from each family unit. They included: clan affiliation, occupation and village or region. “The idea of civilization brought about a change in culture where widely shared identities had clear boundaries to mark them off from other units” (Nelson and Strayer 113). “The most impressive achievements of each is that it brought law and order to each unit and therefore harmony was enhanced through fair governing” (87). Clan affiliation set the distinction between a shared culture where members of each clan lived separately, therefore, having a common culture. Members of an educated upper class that shared common literary tradition had the highest occupation among each unit thereby defining the culture of the region. “Each village or region had their own set of ideas and believes that led them to be district from each other” (Nelson and Strayer 113). “Many people living in the regions have been more aware of the conflicts and difference than commonalities that led to formation for different cultures” (Bongo 114).
Question 3
The emergence of a more elaborate and widespread dense communication networks and trade exchanges led to the connection of many worlds people. “This resulted in the second wave of wisdom traditions that resulted into different forms of religion” (Open Stax 115). “Communication due to Arab traders across northern Eurasia led to the spread of Islam across the Sahara” (Nelson and Strayer 137). Greek rationalism is the logical view whereby the reason is the chief source of knowledge. This form of thinking is embedded by scholars in understanding human behavior. Confucianism is a humanistic way of governing whereby a philosophical and rationalistic religion is employed. “Daoism as a religious and philosophical tradition emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao through philosophical reasoning influenced by Laozi” (Open Stax 15).
Works Cited
Bongo, A Katanga. Civilizations and the Ancient Egyptians. New York: McGill, 2011. Print.
Nelson, Eric W, and Robert W Strayer. World History to 1500, A Brief Global History with Sources. New York: Bedford, 2011. Print.
Open Stax. Us History up to 1500. New York: Open Stax, 2017. Print.
