Comparison of the Early Civilizations Essay Example for Free

Comparison of the Early Civilizations Essay Paleolithic and Neolithic communities differed from each other in many ways, including their use of tools, their hunting of animals and gathering of food. First of all, the Paleolithic people were the most rudimentary in their use of tools. They did not manipulate them in any way. A rock was just used as it was for pounding or cutting a surface. In addition, the Paleolithic people were nomadic; they traveled around hunting and gathering food. When the supply was exhausted in one place, they moved on to the next in small groups of about twenty or thirty people (Spielvogel, 2003). For this reason, the Paleolithic people were not able to form stable communities. Their family and extended family made up their group, which could eventually die out if the conditions grew too harsh. Especially problematic was the Ice Age. Consequently, the Paleolithic people were very adaptable. They learned how to make fire, shelter and crude tools to hunt. They survived in this way until the end of the Ice Age in 8000 B. C. where cave drawings have survived them to reveal their existence to modern man (Spielvogel, 2003). Unfortunately, population issues forced the Paleolithic man into a new way of life. Hunting and gathering societies required huge areas of land, so as the population grew, so did the demand for land. In fact, Krieger (1994) estimates that for every 25 people the community needed at least 250 acres of land to sustain them. At the time, the population was about 10,000,000 people. Clearly a change was needed. However, the Neolithic people were named so because of the changes made in the style of living. The Neolithic people moved from crude tools to more sophisticated ones. They were able to take that rock from the Paleolithic era and manipulate it so that it formed a sharp edge, making that more of a tool for cutting. Later, toward the end of the era, the people discovered ways to melt certain rocks to form metals. In this way the Neolithic society developed more sophisticated knives, axes and hammers (Spielvogel, 2003). The Neolithic people changed from hunting animals to raising animals for food and from gathering food to growing food. They became agricultural and thus were able to stay in the same place for a long time. This permanence allowed the Neolithic people to form communities and villages. As a result, they could develop products of their own and trade with neighboring communities. Art existed in the Neolithic as well, with some artisans even trading jewelry to other communities. As society progressed, the Neolithic age gave way to the Bronze age about 3000 B. C (Spielvogel, 2003). The civilizations that grew in the river valleys of the Nile and of the Tigris and Euphrates bore some resemblance to the earlier periods of man, but they also are characterized by some marked differences. For example, geography played a role in these developments. First of all, the people were less nomadic than the Paleolithic people. They wanted to stay in the fertile areas mentioned above and to take advantage of its soil. However, because the rivers would sometimes flood, they were forced to develop methods of water control and irrigation in order to remain there (Spielvogel, 2003). The first known society was that of the Sumerians in the Tigris and Euphrates river valley, otherwise known as Mesopotamia. They, like the earlier peoples, learned to build shelters, not with wood or stone, which the Paleolithic and Neolithic people used, but with the limited resources they had, namely mud and clay ((Krieger et al, 1994). Using these bricks, they erected buildings and even walls around their cities. They became the leaders of the countryside, forming political city-states. The dominant form of rule here was a theocracy. The Sumerians built temples and believed that gods ruled the cities and divinely chose the kings to do their biddings. Some people were thus noble, and other people were made slaves. However, the economy was similar to that of the Neolithic people in that it was based on agriculture and trade (Spielvogel, 2003). The Sumerians developed a form of writing called cuneiform, which is a form of picture writing. However, few people learned to write (Krieger et al, 1994). Unfortunately, other communities in the area noticed the power of the Sumerians and wanted what they had. The areas was not very well protected by any natural land forms or waterways, so attacking each other was easy and constant (Krieger, et al, 1994). Thus, war was perpetuated in the world of early man. The Mesopotamian area was in a period of empire building and warring states for over thousands of years. The Nile river valley also provided the same geographic necessities as the Tigris and Euphrates did for the Sumerians. Where the Nile divides (called the Delta) is a very similar geographically as the people’s to the north. The flooding of the river provided very fertile lands, thus encouraging agricultural communities. The Nile was the main mode of transportation, so trade was relatively easy for these people. Unlike the people of the Mesopotamian communities, the Egyptians were secluded by deserts, the Nile, and the Red and Mediterranean Seas. Their lifestyle was not marred or changed by continual warfare. Like the people of the Mesopotamia, religion was also very important. Again, the rulers were determined by divine prophecy, creating dynasties of ruling families. One of the most memorable and interesting aspects of Egyptian religions is the use of pyramids and grave goods for burial. The architecture of these pyramids was so sound that many of them still stand today (Spielvogel, 2003). Art was also popular among the Egyptians as it was among the Sumerians and even earlier people. From the Egyptians, come many modern standards of living. Craftsmen used wood and metals to create sculptures, furniture and drawings. The Egyptians also developed a system of writing and began the basis of an educational system, especially writing and mathematics. These people are credited with inventing the calendar and the process of embalming the dead (Krieger, et al, 1994) The lives of the early civilizations were undoubtedly difficult. Our modern society owes a debt to these people for beginning the seeds of society that has become now a convenient and fulfilling way of life. References Krieger, et al. (1994). World History: Perspectives on the Past. Massachusetts: Heath. Ohio: McGraw Hill. pp. 16-37 Spielvogel, Ph. D. , Jackson. (2003). World History. Ohio: McGraw Hill. pp. 19-53

Affirmative Action :: essays research papers

Affirmative Action in the words of Louis Fairykhan (humor) Affirmative Action is Necessary for Minorities to be Competitive in the Workplace The audience that I intend to attract are those that are minorities and agree with the idea of affirmative action. The persona that I chose is that of Louis Farrakhan, the leader of The Nation of Islam. I imagine that this is a speech to thousands of African-Americans that agree with Mr. Farrakhan. I appeal to tha emotions of my intended audience because I feel it is a strong tool in writing a good paper. I am notan authority on affirmative action but I feel that I know enough about it to present a good case on the subject. Good day my beautiful brothers and sisters. I'm sure you all know me by now because of my extensive involvement with the African-American movement. I, Louis Farrakhan, your delicious leader in this march towards equal rights and equality, feel that among our many obstacles in "White America" the most important is Affirmative Action. Affirmative Action is definitely a necessity in our long drive towards freedom. It certainly seems that we as a minority have come a long way since the days of slavery. Unfortunately, we are not yet considered the equal by our Vanilla brothers and sisters. It has been a long and treacherous journey, my savory brothers and sisters, but I feel that we can do more as a community if we can work side by side with the "crackers." It is not the white man's or the Jew's problem that we are not treated equally, it is ours. I was reading a well-known African-American newspaper the other day and I came across something that I felt was interesting. Our strong black brother, Ron Brown of the NAACP stated, "We're not ready to be color-blind because racial discrimination continues to afflict our society. Affirmative action continues to be needed not to redress grievances of the past, but the current discrimination that continues to exist"(Khalenberg). Can I hear an Amen? Was that not pinning the tail right on the hide of the milky-white donkey? We definitely have a strong black brother that knows his stuff and does his thing for our lovely, delicious community. Mr. Brown is obviously an intellectual and brilliant man because he has the last name Brown, which is a good reference to our beautiful chocolate colored skin. Affirmative Action :: essays research papers Affirmative Action in the words of Louis Fairykhan (humor) Affirmative Action is Necessary for Minorities to be Competitive in the Workplace The audience that I intend to attract are those that are minorities and agree with the idea of affirmative action. The persona that I chose is that of Louis Farrakhan, the leader of The Nation of Islam. I imagine that this is a speech to thousands of African-Americans that agree with Mr. Farrakhan. I appeal to tha emotions of my intended audience because I feel it is a strong tool in writing a good paper. I am notan authority on affirmative action but I feel that I know enough about it to present a good case on the subject. Good day my beautiful brothers and sisters. I'm sure you all know me by now because of my extensive involvement with the African-American movement. I, Louis Farrakhan, your delicious leader in this march towards equal rights and equality, feel that among our many obstacles in "White America" the most important is Affirmative Action. Affirmative Action is definitely a necessity in our long drive towards freedom. It certainly seems that we as a minority have come a long way since the days of slavery. Unfortunately, we are not yet considered the equal by our Vanilla brothers and sisters. It has been a long and treacherous journey, my savory brothers and sisters, but I feel that we can do more as a community if we can work side by side with the "crackers." It is not the white man's or the Jew's problem that we are not treated equally, it is ours. I was reading a well-known African-American newspaper the other day and I came across something that I felt was interesting. Our strong black brother, Ron Brown of the NAACP stated, "We're not ready to be color-blind because racial discrimination continues to afflict our society. Affirmative action continues to be needed not to redress grievances of the past, but the current discrimination that continues to exist"(Khalenberg). Can I hear an Amen? Was that not pinning the tail right on the hide of the milky-white donkey? We definitely have a strong black brother that knows his stuff and does his thing for our lovely, delicious community. Mr. Brown is obviously an intellectual and brilliant man because he has the last name Brown, which is a good reference to our beautiful chocolate colored skin.

How to raise a child Essay

Amy Chua’s article â€Å"Why Chinese Mothers are Superior† appeared in the Wall Street Journal on January 8, 2011. When this article was published the controversy began. One article in argument to Amy Chua’s was James Bernard Murphy’s article â€Å"In Defense of Being a Kid† which also appeared in the Wall Street Journal on February 9, 2011. Murphy contends by stating Amy Chua’s method of how to raise a child will do nothing but turn children into neurotic, self-absorbed and unhappy adults. James Murphy, author of â€Å"In Defense of Being a Kid† and professor of government at Dartmouth College argues that children should live childhood and enjoy childhood innocence, not be pressured or forced to prepare for their adulthood and the pressure that comes with it. â€Å"Part of the point of childhood is childhood itself. ‘ (Summers 279) Childhood takes up a quarter of one’s life and it would be nice if children enjoyed it. Murphy continues to explain what the unique blessings of childhood are. First, children have a gift of moral innocence, children are unaware of what is to come in their future and the burdens, and therefore they put their trust in us fully. Children are open to new adventures and unaware of time thus cannot be wasted. We as adults forget that most of us produced our best art, asked our deepest philosophical questions, and most readily mastered new gadgets when were children. We as parents need to take a step back from teaching our children and realize how much we can learn from them. Murphy uses emotion when he states â€Å"children are people with distinctive powers and joy. † He realizes what children are capable of if they are given space to imagine and explore ideas of the world that we have forgotten. Murphy thinks like a child and is defending their youth. It is important to know when to give a child space to allow them to become an individual. In defense Murphy argues, â€Å"most of us would like Tom’s childhood followed by Mill’s adulthood. But as parents we are stuck with trying to balance the paradoxical demands of both preparing our children for adulthood and protecting them from it. † The article seems to indicate you can’t have that childhood and young adulthood. I disagree because that is exactly how I grew up. Yes we did have responsibilities on the farm, but when chores were done we did what we wanted to do. We were taught what was right and what was wrong. I believe if you are raised with good morals, respect for yourself and others you can be very successful. I feel the drive to succeed comes from a supportive family and the want to be successful at what you love to do, not what you are forced to do. Murphy uses logic with the comparison of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle and Jesus. Two of which did not have the same beliefs of children. I disagree with Aristotle when he said â€Å"no child is happy†, the only time a child is happy is when they have thoughts of the achievements as an adult. When a child is given space it gives them the opportunity to imagine, to think outside of the box and capable for intellectual activity. We have to encourage and embrace their uniqueness and imagination or as Jesus did praise our children. I strongly agree with Murphy’s fourth thought, â€Å"We forget that most of us produced our best art, asked our deepest philosophical questions, and most readily mastered new gadgets when we were mere children. † (Murphy 279) As children we are more carefree and have less sense of our surroundings and what people think of us. We are eager to learn and curious about adulthood but should not be rushed to become one. I believe in realizing the capacity of a child, you need to know their capabilities and their limits. Work Citied Behrens, Laurence, and Leonard J, Rosen. Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum. 12th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2013. Print

Little Ball of Fur The Black Cat Essay - 781 Words

Edgar Allan Poe was born January 19, 1809. Many consider him to be the master of mystery and horror. He only lived until he was forty, and during that time he endured a lot of hardships. For one, every woman he ever cared for ended up dead, usually by the dreaded tuberculosis. That included his wife Virginia. The men in his life who were supposed to be there to guide him, well, they were not there. I think that helped him write a lot of his dark and macabre stories. His most famous work is The Raven, a narrative poem that was first published in January 1845. He also wrote other highly regarded short stories such as, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Tell- Tale Heart, and The Black Cat. I will be doing my review on the latter†¦show more content†¦Poe creates a narrator that loses his humanness. The narrator kills his cat and wife due to mere fits of rage. A sane person would not do that. Poe basically has his narrator starts telling the story at his mad point . Poe had his narrator realize his deterioration but also an inability to stop it from happening. The narrators madness was exasperated by an addiction to alcohol. From the story, But my disease grew upon me - for what disease is like alcohol? (Poe 199). I think Mr. Poe is saying that alcohol can push people over the edge. The narrator already had his demons that he had been able to keep in check until he went on a drinking binge. From there on out, things unraveled. It is said that Mr. Poe himself struggled with alcoholism (cite). It is quite possible that he drew up that aspect of the narrator makeup from his own life. And on a minor note, Edgar Allan Poe also uses this story to present the age old no crime goes unpunished bit. He has a narrator that believes that he has gotten away with his crime. Poe presents a person who is so ho-hum after a heinous crime, the murder of his wife, but that does not last very long. Poe uses the cat as an antagonizing figure that foil s his narrators perfect crime. I have to agree with Edgar Allan Poe in regards to the alcoholism. I think we have all seen to some capacity the negative affect alcohol can have on an already strained situation. It really is like throwing a gallon of gasolineShow MoreRelatedA Crazy Cat Lady1322 Words   |  6 Pagesam the epitome of a crazy cat lady. Don’t take me to a humane society, it will end with me attempting to smuggle out a cat, and getting caught because...well, stealing cats is apparently frowned upon in society. Yes, I am unhealthily obsessed; I love my cat more than Iove my best friend, more than my sister, and on some days, I love him more than I love my parents. The sickness started in August of 2015. Well, no, that’s actually a lie. That was when I got my first cat. I’d wanted one since I wasRead MoreEssay On High School1552 Words   |  7 Pagesthe common room. Their Headmistress stood in front of them. 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