Geography is arguably one of the most important factors considered when looking into the early development of a newly started civilization. Geography in every aspect destroy or help nourish this newly developed civilization. This can be because of food supply, invaders, weather, and much more. Every civilization has a government, whether it be a corrupt or a valid one. Government is needed to keep things in order and sometimes this is not the case even in modern day. In early history, civilizations that found themselves trying to start a development had cons and pros.
However, there are differences between civilizations that developed around one river and civilizations that developed around two. Early Egypt and India were early civilizations that started near one river, and Mesopotamia and China developed around two. There is an abundant amount of differences caused from just another river being a part of the area. As explained before it can affect, food, invaders, weather, flooding, etc. However, these early civilizations have a lot in common and will see similar ideas and tactics used to adapt to the environment around them.
The geographical features of Egypt, India, Mesopotamia, and China left them with extreme similarities, however, it also left them with completely different societies. A huge benefit of the rivers was the natual barrier it came with and the natural fertilization it carried to support the crops to grow. Human advancements would in general experience great flourishment in stream valleys for various reasons. The most evident is access to a dependable wellspring of water for different needs. This and the enhancement of the dirt because of yearly floods made it possible to develop an abundance of crops. The number of crops in river valley civilizations surpassed what rural areas would expect generate [1].
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The Mesopotamia Civilization developed along two great banks of water the Euphrates and the Tigris. Same with the early Chinese river civilizations. Two rivers by the names of the Yellow River in the north, and the Yangtze River to the south ran through China [2]. The Egyptians were able to have a sense of when the flooding was going to happen, however, the Mesopotamia civilization would get flooded randomly without warning. To counteract this, they began by building reservoir basins for the annual overflow to run into, and levees to hold the waters back [3]. Trading was easy, given Mesopotamia’s open boundaries on all sides.
Compared to Egypt whose land was cut off by impassable deserts to the east and west, and by the Nile River rapids to the south [4]. However, this also led Mesopotamia off at a disadvantage. Since Mesopotamia had open boundaries on all its sides, this left them with troops easily able to invade, compared to Egypt whose natural barriers protected it from all sides. Mesopotamia’s natural advantage its rich agricultural land and water, combined with easy access to neighboring regions favored the growth of cities [5]. Like the other river valley civilizations, Chinas waterways, the Yellow and Yangzi rivers had annual floods and extensive floodplains suitable for producing high agricultural yields and supporting dense populations [6].
Aside from the geographical location, government plays a huge role in how the civilization grows. Egypt’s ancient river valley civilization had a theocratic monarchy. The Pharaoh was looked at as the ruler because he was able to communicate with gods. The Egyptians also had a strict social hierarchy with the Pharaoh being on top and slaves at the bottom [7]. The Egyptian religion at the time was a system of polytheistic beliefs and rituals. The pharaoh was believed to be the middleman between his people and the gods, he would do rituals and offerings so they could maintain order.
For example, the pharaoh would ensure that the forces of nature, specifically the flooding of the Nile continued without interruption [8]. Unlike the Egyptians, the Mesopotamia people had a system ruled by kings. However, the king did not rule the whole civilization, a king ruled a single city in Mesopotamia. The king would design the rules for that specific city which in what they thought would be most beneficial for the people. Like the Egyptians, the Mesopotamian people believed in a system of polytheistic beliefs. The kings and priest would be in contact with the gods like the pharaoh.
The Indus River Valley civilization like Egypt and Mesopotamia had a Theocracy government. However, Unlike Egypt having a Pharaoh and Mesopotamia having kings, Indus is run by a priest so they’re government and religion were combined [10]. Religion was the basis for their government and all their laws came from this. The religion the Indus people claimed is Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. The Indus people also had a Caste system, your position in society was determined at birth and were placed on this system, Outcaste being the lowest and the rulers on top.
The Yellow river civilization had a similar system with the important people on top and the slaves at the bottom. The yellow river valley lacked written language for an extensive period. Because of this, documents are rare to come by, however the Yellow River civilization was heavily dependent on their agriculture for their main source of economy. The main crop they grew was rice. In the Indus River Valley, they grew wheat, barley, and cotton. It can be seen the culture difference between the two from looking at the crops they grew for currency.
Geography is arguably one of the most important factors considered when looking into the early development of a newly started civilization. Geography in every aspect destroy or help nourish this newly developed civilization. Geography and government structure are what gives the history and modern-day civilization its culture and way of life. There are many similarities in one river and two river valley civilizations. Such as techniques used for agriculture and obviously geography with natural barriers. However, because of the civilizations being in different locations of the world, they develop differently. This could be the government structure, food, currency, politics, religion, trading, and more.
Work Cited
- Tignor, Robert et al. Worlds Together Worlds Apart. Vol. 1. 4th edition, Chapter 3, pg 95
- Lbid., Chapter 1, pg 31
- Lbid., Chapter 1, pg 25
- Lbid., Chapter 2, pg 51
- Lbid., Chapter 2, pg 51
- Lbid., Chapter 2, pg 71
- Lbid., Chapter 2, pg 82
- Lbid., Chapter 2, pg 64
- Lbid., Chapter 3, pg 96
- Lbid., Chapter 2, pg 45
