In this chapter, Strayer not only mentions how human cultures evolved in a similar fashion around the world but also how human migration arose. The movement of humankind began in Africa then encompassed Eurasia, Australia, the Americas, and Pacific Oceania. The world's human population was distributed unevenly as Eurasia was home to more than 85% of the world's people, Africa with 10%, the Americas around 5%, and Oceania less than 1%. I thought it was particularly interesting to read about the reasoning world historians tend to focus more on Eurasia than other regions as it has to do with the unevenness in population.
Civilizations of Africa
Strayer mentions that Africa hosted numerous separate societies, cultures, and civilizations with vast differences among them (233). Africa had one environmental distinctive feature; it was the most tropical of the world's three supercontinents. "During the second-wave era, older African civilizations such as Egypt and Nubia persisted and changed, while new civilizations emerge in Axum and the Niger River valley" (235).
Civilizations of Mesoamerica
I thought it was interesting how Strayer states that the Atlantic and Pacifica oceans ensured that societies and cultures of the Western Hemisphere operated in a world apart from their Afro-Eurasian counterparts.
"The remarkable achievements of early American civilizations and cultures occurred without the many large domesticated animals or ironworking technologies that were so important throughout the Eastern Hemisphere" (241). Strayer's remark connects with how agriculture was less developed in the Americas. Those in the Eastern Hemisphere were more agriculturally advanced due to America's lacking a strong agricultural presence with animals. This section also mentions writing and warfare and the Maya civilization.
Civilizations of the Andes
"Bleak deserts along the coast supported human habitation only because they were cut by dozens of rivers flowing down from the mountains, offering the possibility of irrigation and cultivation" (246). The most well-known of the civilization to take shape of the environment was the Incas, encompassing the entire region.
Alternatives to Civilization
Strayer mentions that though urban and state-based communities were the most powerful, expansive, and innovative, it is important to still recognize those that had alternatives to civilization, such as Africa south of the equator, North America, and Pacific Oceania. All shared environments that had plenty of land and few people compared to those of the civilization.
Civilizations of Africa
Strayer mentions that Africa hosted numerous separate societies, cultures, and civilizations with vast differences among them (233). Africa had one environmental distinctive feature; it was the most tropical of the world's three supercontinents. "During the second-wave era, older African civilizations such as Egypt and Nubia persisted and changed, while new civilizations emerge in Axum and the Niger River valley" (235).
Civilizations of Mesoamerica
I thought it was interesting how Strayer states that the Atlantic and Pacifica oceans ensured that societies and cultures of the Western Hemisphere operated in a world apart from their Afro-Eurasian counterparts.
"The remarkable achievements of early American civilizations and cultures occurred without the many large domesticated animals or ironworking technologies that were so important throughout the Eastern Hemisphere" (241). Strayer's remark connects with how agriculture was less developed in the Americas. Those in the Eastern Hemisphere were more agriculturally advanced due to America's lacking a strong agricultural presence with animals. This section also mentions writing and warfare and the Maya civilization.
Civilizations of the Andes
"Bleak deserts along the coast supported human habitation only because they were cut by dozens of rivers flowing down from the mountains, offering the possibility of irrigation and cultivation" (246). The most well-known of the civilization to take shape of the environment was the Incas, encompassing the entire region.
Alternatives to Civilization
Strayer mentions that though urban and state-based communities were the most powerful, expansive, and innovative, it is important to still recognize those that had alternatives to civilization, such as Africa south of the equator, North America, and Pacific Oceania. All shared environments that had plenty of land and few people compared to those of the civilization.
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