AP World History ReviewPeriod 1: Technological and
Environmental Transformations
Bill Strickland
East Grand Rapids High School
East Grand Rapids, MI
Bill Strickland [email protected] 2April 19, 2023
Period 1 Key Concepts
1.1 Big Geography & the Peopling of the Earth
1.2 The Neolithic Revolution & Early Agricultural Societies
1.3 The Development and Interactions of Early Agricultural, Pastoral, and Urban Societies
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Period 1 Key Concepts
1. Big Geography & the Peopling of the Earth
I. During the Paleolithic Era (pre-10,000 BCE) hunter-gatherers gradually migrated from East Africa to Eurasia, Australia and the Americas, adapting their technology and cultures.
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Key Concepts (In Question Form)
1. Big Geography & the Peopling of the Earth
What is the evidence that explains the earliest history of humans and the planet?
How is this evidence interpreted?
Where did humans first appear on Earth, and what were the characteristics of their society, religion, technology, economy and culture?
How did the earliest humans procure enough supplies to survive?
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Q: What is the evidence that explainsthe earliest history of humans and the planet?
“Out of Africa” migrations Theory based on Archeological Evidence
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Q: How is this evidence interpreted?
Archaeological Evidence: “Lucy”
Louis & Mary Leakey
Richard Leakey,
1979
“Lucy” skeleton
Footprints in Olduvai
Gorge, eastern
Africa
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Q: What were thecharacteristics of early humans’ …
Society?Little if any social classes
no possessions to distinguish rich/poor, powerful/weak
Egalitarian (equal but not identical work & value of both genders’ contributions)
Men probably hunted, women foraged/gathered.Small bands/communities (30-50 people)
How do we know this?Comparison to modern hunter-gatherer
societies
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Q: What were thecharacteristics of early humans’ …
Culture?Art – cave paintingReligion – most likely animisticArchitecture – simple Tools – stone, wood, but no wheel until
several millennia laterTechnology – Fire (post-8,000 BCE)
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Q: What were thecharacteristics of early humans’ …
Religion?Most likely animistic.
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Q: What were thecharacteristics of early humans’ …
Technology?Stone Tools/Weapons
Specially adapted to different environments. (What works in the tropics won’t in the tundra!)
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Q: What were thecharacteristics of early humans’ …
Technology?Stone Tools/Weapons (no wheel yet!)Fire
Useful in slash & burn agriculture Protection against animals Keeping warm in cold climates Food
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Q: What were thecharacteristics of early humans’ …
Economy?Small kinship groups of 30-50 people.
Some were self-sufficient
Trade, including … People Ideas Goods
Very limited range of contact w/ other groups
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1.3 The Development & Interactions of Agricultural, Pastoral, and Urban Societies
What are the characteristics of a “civilization?” (or “complex society”)Cities, Social structure?Religious beliefs & practices?Political structure?Economic activity?
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Which of these are a “civilization”?
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Q: By 600 BCE, what were thecharacteristics of ancient humans’ …
SocietyElites (military, religious, political) present in
most/all civilizations.Most political rulers claimed some kind of
divinity or divine support, supported by the religious hierarchy & professional warriors.
Zhou Dynasty’s “Mandate of Heaven” Mesopotamia’s Epic of Gilgamesh India’s Lawbook of Manu Popul Vuh in the Americas
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Resources for Additional Info
John Green’s “Crash Course” videos.