9handouts

Semester 1
Introduction Notes:

Geography
Neo/Paleolithic Eras
Religions: Buddhism, Hinduism

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Global 9 Handouts: 1st Semester

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	Geography Background Geography shapes history because it is where all history takes place. Geography is the study of people, their environment, and their resources. Civilizations are influenced by access to various types of resources, by geographical features that either protect, or isolate, and by the area in which they live. Some of these geographical resources and features are, rivers, mountains, oceans, irregular and regular coast lines, and islands. Geographical Features Rivers Rivers provide fresh water for irrigation, act as trade routes & invasion routes, and provide fertile soil along their valleys. Major river valleys such as the Nile, Tigris-Euphrates, Indus, and Yellow, all were home to early civilizations. Mountains Mountains often act as barriers for civilizations. This can have a positive effect in that it protects a culture from invasion. An example of mountains as a barrier would be the Himalayas protecting early India from China. They can also have a negative effect by preventing cultural diffusion. An example of this would be the near isolation of the Incan Empire along the Andes. Oceans Oceans often act as barriers for civilizations, but can also be a source of food and livelihood. The barrier effect has both positive and negative aspects. A positive example would be the Pacific Ocean was a barrier to Korean invasion of Feudal Japan. A negative example would be the Atlantic Ocean prevented cultural diffusion between Mesoamerica and the rest of the world for centuries. Irregular Coastline An irregular coastline has many natural harbors. This feature has both positive and negative effects. An example of a positive effect would be the British Islands which have many natural harbors. This feature allowed them to develop a strong Navy, and trade and culturally diffuse with the world. A negative example would be North & South America, which also has many natural harbors. This provided easy access for the Europeans when the began to explore, and eventually conquer the continents. Regular Coastline Regular coastlines have few to no natural harbors. This is a barrier effect with both positive and negative consequences. Africa has a regular coastline. A positive effect of this was that it was difficult to invade Africa by sea. A negative effect was that Sub-Saharan Africa remained isolated from the rest of the world for many centuries. Islands Islands often act as barriers to both invasion and cultural diffusion. Japan has been able to stay free of foreign control though most of its history, but has also been isolated from the world for centuries at a time. Great Britain was able to stay free of German control during World War II because they are an island nation. Rainforests Rainforests often act as barriers, but can also be a resource center. As a barrier, they prevent invasion and cultural diffusion. An example would be the African rainforests. They can also be a source of raw materials. An example would be the Amazon Rainforests which provide hardwoods, medicines, and other raw materials to many countries in South America. Deserts Deserts often act as barriers. An example would be the Sahara Desert that protected lower Africa from invasion for many centuries. But, the Sahara also prevented cultural diffusion to this area.

	Neolithic Revolution Background During the Paleolithic Period, which lasts from the beginnings of human life until about 10,000 BCE, people were nomads. They lived in groups of 20 -30, and spent most of their time hunting and gathering. In these groups, work was divided between men and women, with the men hunting game animals, and women gathering fruits, berries, and other edibles. These early peoples developed simple tools such as, spears and axes made from bone, wood, and stone. Human beings lived in this manner from earliest times until about 10,000 BCE, when they started to cultivate crops and domesticate animals. This is known as the Neolithic Revolution. The Neolithic Revolution was a fundamental change in the way people lived. The shift from hunting & gathering to agriculture led to permanent settlements, the establishment of social classes, and the eventual rise of civilizations. The Neolithic Revolution is a major turning point in human history. Great Discoveries About 10,000 BCE, humans began to cultivate crops and domesticate certain animals. This was a change from the system of hunting and gathering that had sustained humans from earliest times. As a result, permanent settlements were established. Neolithic villages continued to divide work between men and women. However, women's status declined as men took the lead in in most areas of these early societies. Villages were usually run by a Council of Elders composed of the heads of the village's various families. Some of these villages may have had a chief elder as a single leader. When resources became scarce, warfare among villages increased. During war, some men gained stature as great warriors. This usually transferred over to village life with these warriors becoming the leaders in society. Early social class divisions developed as a result. A person's social class was usually determined by the work they did, such as farmer, craftsman, priest, and warrior. Depending on the society, priests and warriors were usually at the top, with farmers and craftsman at the bottom. New technologies developed in response to the need for better tools and weapons to go along with the new way of living. Neolithic farmers created a simple calendar to keep track of planting and harvesting. They also developed simple metal tools such as plows, to help with their work. Some groups even may have used animals to pull these plows, again making work easier. Metal weapons were developed as villages needed to protect their valuable resources. Effects The Neolithic Revolution changed the way humans lived. The use of agriculture allowed humans to develop permanent settlements, social classes, and new technologies. Some of these early groups settled in the fertile valleys of the Nile, Tigris-Euphrates, Yellow, and Indus Rivers. This resulted in the rise of the great civilizations in Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and India.

	Hinduism Background Hinduism is a polytheistic religion that was formed from a variety of different religious practices. Basics Established-Elements of the Hindu religion can be traced back to the ancient Indus River Valley civilization (approximately 3000 BCE) in modern-day Pakistan. Founder-It has been theorized that Hinduism is a result of cultural diffusion that occurred between Aryan invaders and the native peoples of India sometime around 1500 BCE. Geographic Origin-Developed on the Indian subcontinent. Currently Practiced-Most common in India. Significant Writings-Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita. Places of Worship-While Hindu temples do exist, Hinduism is usually practiced in the home where there is usually a shrine dedicated to a favored deity. Significant Religious People-Hindu priests carry out traditional religious practices in temples. Teachings and Beliefs In Hinduism, salvation is achieved through a spiritual oneness of the soul, atman, with the ultimate reality of the universe, Brahman. To achieve this goal, the soul must obtain moksha, or liberation from the samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. As a result of these basic teachings, Hindus believe in reincarnation, which is influenced by karma (material actions resulting from the consequences of previous actions), and dharma (fulfilling one's duty in life). Because all forms of animal life possess souls, Hindus believe in ahimsa, or that all life is sacred. and should not be harmed. In fact, one animal which Hindus consider to be extremely sacred is the cow. The peaceful and contented existence of cows is considered virtuous by Hindus and would represent a rewarding reincarnation for a soul. For this reason, most Hindus are vegetarians so that they do not harm other living beings. The belief in reincarnation, karma, and dharma also provides the religious justification for the existence of the rigid social structure known as the Caste System. Samsara Samsara, or reincarnation, is a central teaching of Hinduism. Rivers are sometimes thought to symbolize reincarnation because they constantly flow, yet follow the same course. Perhaps the most sacred river is the Ganges, which is used for spiritual cleansing, funeral rites, and other Hindu rituals. The concept of reincarnation can best be represented by the infinity symbol. When one is born, they are given life by Brahma, as the pass through life, they are preserved by Vishnu, until finally Shiva claims you in death. Then the cycle is repeated over and over again until one finally achieves moksha. Caste System The Caste System is a rigid class structure based on Hinduism which is found in India. It is believed that if one leads a good life, following good karma and dharma, then they will be rewarded by being reincarnated as a person belonging to the next highest level in the Caste System. However, if one is wicked during their life, they will be demoted, and possibly even removed from the Caste System altogether. Outcasts, or Untouchables, are members of Hindu society thought to have been removed from the Caste System, with no hope of returning to it, due to their misdeeds in previous lives. Work that is deemed unclean for all other Hindus is reserved for these Outcasts. After winning its independence from Great Britain in 1947, India adopted a national constitution which stated that "Untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden." Since that time many Caste reforms have been enacted to diminish discriminatory practices in India. Today, the Caste System still exists in practice, despite the many laws designed to legally abolish it.

		Buddhism Background Buddhism developed in India, and is based on many of the core concepts of Hinduism.. The Basics Founder-Siddhartha Gautama, or Buddha, which means "enlightened one." Geographic Origin-Developed in India. Currently Practiced-Most common in Southeast Asia and Japan.. Significant Writings-Tripitka, or Three Baskets of Wisdom. Places of Worship-Buddhism may be practiced individually, but temples and monasteries do exist. Significant Religious People-The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan sect of Buddhism, and is considered to be the reincarnation of the bodhisattva, or "Buddha-to-be." Buddhist monks can be identified by their traditional orange robes. Teachings and Beliefs Siddhartha was born into the Brahmin caste, and by all account led a luxurious lifestyle. However, he was troubled by the human misery that he saw around him everyday. Upon reflection, he deduced that desire was the root caused of all suffering. This idea has been recorded as the Four Noble Truths. Four Noble Truths Siddhartha's philosophy of the nature of human suffering and its relation to desire is articulated by these four statements: Life is full of pain and suffering. Human desire causes this suffering. By putting an end to desire, humans can end suffering. Humans can end desire by following the Eightfold Path. Eightfold Path The Wheel of Life is one of the most important symbols of Buddhism, as it represents the endless cycle of life through reincarnation and because each of its eight spokes represents one of the teachings of the Eightfold Path. Know that suffering is caused by desire. Be selfless and love all life. Do not lie, or speak without cause. Do not kill, steal, or commit other unrighteous acts. Do not do things which promote evil. Take effort to promote righteousness. Be aware of your physical actions, state of mind, and emotions. Learn to meditate. Reincarnation Buddhists believe in an endless cycle of reincarnation, or samsara, which is similar to beliefs of Hinduism. However, Buddhists do not believe that deities are responsible for the phenomenon. In addition, the Caste System is rejected by Buddhists who believe instead that one is reincarnated until they can achieve nirvana, best described as spiritual enlightenment.

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