agriculture - yorku.ca · 3 sc/nats 1510, agriculture 7 old views: farming was obviously better:...

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11SC/NATS 1510, AgricultureSC/NATS 1510, Agriculture

AgricultureAgriculture

The Basis of CivilizationThe Basis of Civilization


AgricultureAgricultureDeveloped separately in Developed separately in three different parts of the three different parts of the worldworld

SouthSouth--west Asia (Middle west Asia (Middle East)East)ChinaChinaMesoamericaMesoamerica

A major alteration of the A major alteration of the ecosystem.ecosystem.

Could provide much greater Could provide much greater quantities of food.quantities of food.Made civilization possible.Made civilization possible.


Population Population

10,000 years ago the human population was about 4 million; 5,00010,000 years ago the human population was about 4 million; 5,000 years ago it was maybe 5 million.years ago it was maybe 5 million.Then with agriculture, it began to double every millennium to reThen with agriculture, it began to double every millennium to reach 50 million by 1000 BCE.ach 50 million by 1000 BCE.Then it grew to 100 million by 500 BCE. Then 200 million by 200 Then it grew to 100 million by 500 BCE. Then 200 million by 200 CE.CE.

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Irreversible ProcessIrreversible ProcessThe Agricultural Revolution:The Agricultural Revolution:

A transition from hunting and gathering that took A transition from hunting and gathering that took place over thousands of years. place over thousands of years. Impossible to reverse.Impossible to reverse.

Much larger population could not be fed.Much larger population could not be fed.

All of the methods of agriculture were in use All of the methods of agriculture were in use (somewhere) before 10,000 BCE.(somewhere) before 10,000 BCE.The The ““revolutionrevolution”” is the intensification of these is the intensification of these methods.methods.


Why was Agriculture Adopted? Why was Agriculture Adopted?

Agriculture was not easier than hunting & gathering.Agriculture was not easier than hunting & gathering.Much more effort was involved in clearing land, sowing, Much more effort was involved in clearing land, sowing, tending, and harvesting, and looking after domesticated tending, and harvesting, and looking after domesticated animals.animals.

Food grown was not clearly more nutritious.Food grown was not clearly more nutritious.Wild grains were often much more nutritious than Wild grains were often much more nutritious than cultivated ones.cultivated ones.

No greater security was guaranteed.No greater security was guaranteed.Now humans had to depend on a small range of plants & Now humans had to depend on a small range of plants & animals.animals.

What it does is provide more food from less land.What it does is provide more food from less land.


Land Required to Feed One PersonLand Required to Feed One Person

By hunting and By hunting and gathering, 10 kmgathering, 10 km22

By dry farming By dry farming (farming without (farming without irrigation), 0.5 kmirrigation), 0.5 km22

By wet farming By wet farming (farming with (farming with irrigation), 0.1 kmirrigation), 0.1 km22 0

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H-G Dry Wet

Land

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Old Views: Old Views:

Farming was obviously better:Farming was obviously better:The advantages of agriculture were so obvious that as soon The advantages of agriculture were so obvious that as soon as it was discovered, all hunting and gathering ceased.as it was discovered, all hunting and gathering ceased.

Climate change forced the change to agriculture:Climate change forced the change to agriculture:But climates had changed before without a change in But climates had changed before without a change in hunting and gathering.hunting and gathering.Moreover, the climate changes in SW Asia, China, and Moreover, the climate changes in SW Asia, China, and Mesoamerica would have been very different from each Mesoamerica would have been very different from each other.other.


Best Explanation:Best Explanation:

Increasing population pressure.Increasing population pressure.Efforts made by hunting and gathering groups to limit Efforts made by hunting and gathering groups to limit population were not always successful. population were not always successful. Usual solution:Usual solution:

Excess population migrated.Excess population migrated.Eventually all suitable areas were occupied.Eventually all suitable areas were occupied.World population of 4 million reached 10,000 years ago was World population of 4 million reached 10,000 years ago was perhaps the maximum sustainable on hunting and gathering.perhaps the maximum sustainable on hunting and gathering.

Once people turned to agriculture to get enough food, Once people turned to agriculture to get enough food, there was a surplus, the population continued to rise, there was a surplus, the population continued to rise, and then there was no turning back.and then there was no turning back.


Different Developments Different Developments

Each major area of the world where agriculture Each major area of the world where agriculture developed independently did it differently. developed independently did it differently.

With profound consequences for world history.With profound consequences for world history.Consider each in turn:Consider each in turn:

1.1. SouthSouth--West AsiaWest AsiaBeginning in the Middle East.Beginning in the Middle East.More specifically in the Fertile Crescent.More specifically in the Fertile Crescent.

2.2. ChinaChinaBeginning in the northern plains.Beginning in the northern plains.

3.3. MesoamericaMesoamericaEarliest evidence from Mexico.Earliest evidence from Mexico.

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SouthSouth--West Asia West Asia The first area to The first area to transform to transform to agriculture.agriculture.The so called The so called ““fertile fertile crescent.crescent.””A region corresponding A region corresponding to parts of present day to parts of present day Iraq, Iran, Israel, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, and south Anatolia (part and south Anatolia (part of Turkey).of Turkey).


Wild Plants Available Wild Plants Available The region was rich in naturally occurring wild, The region was rich in naturally occurring wild, edible plants.edible plants.Hunters and gatherers had lived there for thousands Hunters and gatherers had lived there for thousands of years, subsisting on some of the wild plants of years, subsisting on some of the wild plants available.available.Wild progenitors of domesticated crops include:Wild progenitors of domesticated crops include:

Wheat: from emmer and einkorn.Wheat: from emmer and einkorn.Emmer: limited distribution.Emmer: limited distribution.Einkorn in Anatolia.Einkorn in Anatolia.

Barley: from a wild form of itself.Barley: from a wild form of itself.Wild barley is widely distributed.Wild barley is widely distributed.

Legumes, wild forms exist of: lentils, chickpeas, peas.Legumes, wild forms exist of: lentils, chickpeas, peas.Chickpeas in Anatolia.Chickpeas in Anatolia.


Cultivation Cultivation Wheat, the main crop, began as an Wheat, the main crop, began as an edible wild grass, edible wild grass, emmer, emmer, with with seeds light enough to spread on seeds light enough to spread on their own in the wind and their own in the wind and therefore selftherefore self--cultivate.cultivate.

Emmer Emmer could could be cultivated, however.be cultivated, however.

Eventually a mutation arose, Eventually a mutation arose, bread bread wheatwheat, with seeds so heavy that it , with seeds so heavy that it had to be cultivated (but was much had to be cultivated (but was much more nutritious).more nutritious).

Emmer Bread wheat

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Domestication of Wild PlantsDomestication of Wild PlantsEmmer and wild barley are easily cultivated.Emmer and wild barley are easily cultivated.

Modern Modern wheatswheats, peas, and lentils stem from only a very , peas, and lentils stem from only a very limited part of the wild stock.limited part of the wild stock.

Domestication of plants only began because a small Domestication of plants only began because a small number of groups of people were forced to exploit number of groups of people were forced to exploit less less favourablefavourable resources.resources.

Early cultivated plants were well adapted to growing in Early cultivated plants were well adapted to growing in disturbed and open sites, had relatively big seeds, disturbed and open sites, had relatively big seeds, germinated easily, grew quickly, and survived dry germinated easily, grew quickly, and survived dry summers. summers. Harvesting would naturally select seeds with less effective Harvesting would naturally select seeds with less effective dispersal mechanisms (heavier seeds).dispersal mechanisms (heavier seeds).


Domestication of Wild AnimalsDomestication of Wild Animals

First was the dog. First was the dog. Aborigines of Australia and New Guinea Aborigines of Australia and New Guinea domesticaleddomesticaleddogs, perhaps before anyone else. dogs, perhaps before anyone else. Mainly for companionship and possible protection.Mainly for companionship and possible protection.

Sheep were first domestication for economic reasons.Sheep were first domestication for economic reasons.Probably done before the domestication of crops.Probably done before the domestication of crops.Sheep donSheep don’’t compete directly with humans for food. They t compete directly with humans for food. They convert otherwise unusable grasses into meat. Goats and convert otherwise unusable grasses into meat. Goats and cattle do the same.cattle do the same.

Pigs do compete with humans and were not Pigs do compete with humans and were not domesticated until 6500 BCE at the earliest.domesticated until 6500 BCE at the earliest.


Towns Towns

When food production When food production could support a larger, could support a larger, permanent population in permanent population in a single area, towns a single area, towns emerged.emerged.By 6500 BC, Jericho, a By 6500 BC, Jericho, a walled town of ten walled town of ten acres, had developed.acres, had developed.

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Basis of Settled Life Basis of Settled Life Pottery was invented about 6000 BC.Pottery was invented about 6000 BC.All the major crops and domesticated animals were All the major crops and domesticated animals were fixed. fixed.

No new ones for thousands of years.No new ones for thousands of years.This was the basis of the spread of agriculture This was the basis of the spread of agriculture elsewhere.elsewhere.This way of life was based on growing wheat and This way of life was based on growing wheat and barley and keeping herds of sheep, goats and later barley and keeping herds of sheep, goats and later cattle.cattle.All the crops (except a type of einkorn) used in All the crops (except a type of einkorn) used in Europe came from South West Asia. Europe came from South West Asia.

Also the animals came from the same region.Also the animals came from the same region.


Spread of Agriculture into Europe Spread of Agriculture into Europe

Movement of agriculture into central and NW Europe took another Movement of agriculture into central and NW Europe took another 3 3 millennia after its spread to Greece, because of different climamillennia after its spread to Greece, because of different climate and soils. te and soils. Elsewhere hunting and gathering continued. Elsewhere hunting and gathering continued.


Farming Techniques Farming Techniques SwiddenSwidden system system –– slash and burnslash and burn

This was the basic system for clearing land and This was the basic system for clearing land and assuring fertile soil.assuring fertile soil.It involved clearing climax temperate forests with It involved clearing climax temperate forests with stone axes and burning.stone axes and burning.Crops were planted in ashCrops were planted in ash--enriched soil until enriched soil until yields began to fall.yields began to fall.Then a new area was cleared and the abandoned Then a new area was cleared and the abandoned area was allowed to revert to grass, awaiting area was allowed to revert to grass, awaiting further clearance decades later.further clearance decades later.

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European Crops European Crops Different crops were grown in a northern Different crops were grown in a northern climate: climate:

Oats and rye.Oats and rye.Mediterranean areas grew crops such as:Mediterranean areas grew crops such as:

Olives, figs, grapes.Olives, figs, grapes.Of these, only grapes moved north.Of these, only grapes moved north.


Later Domesticated Animals Later Domesticated Animals

The dromedary and the camel were domesticated between 2000The dromedary and the camel were domesticated between 2000--1500 BC.1500 BC.


Later Domesticated Animals, 2 Later Domesticated Animals, 2

The horse, was domesticated The horse, was domesticated shortly after 3000 BC.shortly after 3000 BC.The horse revolutionized warfare.The horse revolutionized warfare.

For thousands of years the Near For thousands of years the Near East, China, India, and Europe East, China, India, and Europe were heavily influenced by waves were heavily influenced by waves of invading nomadic horsemen of invading nomadic horsemen (e.g. Huns and Mongols) (e.g. Huns and Mongols) descending on settled societies.descending on settled societies.

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ChinaChina

This was the second This was the second area to develop area to develop agriculture.agriculture.


ChinaChina

Originally farming was established in the semiOriginally farming was established in the semi--arid arid loess plains of the north.loess plains of the north.

Loess is a windLoess is a wind--borne soil of fine particles, easily worked.borne soil of fine particles, easily worked.Soils were thick and had high mineral content.Soils were thick and had high mineral content.Most rain falls in the summer, making cultivation possible.Most rain falls in the summer, making cultivation possible.

Crops:Crops:Millet Millet –– food for the masses.food for the masses.Rice (grown as a dry crop) Rice (grown as a dry crop) –– food for the elite.food for the elite.Later rice was adapted to grow further south in wet paddy Later rice was adapted to grow further south in wet paddy fields.fields.


Main Difference of Chinese Main Difference of Chinese AgricultureAgriculture

In the other two regions, a balanced diet was In the other two regions, a balanced diet was based on a starchy cereal and legumes.based on a starchy cereal and legumes.In China, until soybeans were cultivated about In China, until soybeans were cultivated about 1100 BC, the diet was based on seed crops 1100 BC, the diet was based on seed crops only.only.

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Mesoamerica Mesoamerica

Encompassing Guatemala, Belize, some of Honduras, San Salvador, Encompassing Guatemala, Belize, some of Honduras, San Salvador, and and Mexico.Mexico.

The last area to develop agriculture independently.The last area to develop agriculture independently.Evidence comes from highland Mexico, where climate is dry enoughEvidence comes from highland Mexico, where climate is dry enough to to preserve plant remains.preserve plant remains.


MesoamericaMesoamericaUntil 6000 BC, all groups in the area were still Until 6000 BC, all groups in the area were still hunting and gathering.hunting and gathering.

They hunted rabbit and deer, and harvested nuts, beans, They hunted rabbit and deer, and harvested nuts, beans, wild grasses, early maize, and squashes.wild grasses, early maize, and squashes.

First steps were small garden plots to grow previously First steps were small garden plots to grow previously wild plants.wild plants.

30 plants grown for food, dyes, medicines, and containers 30 plants grown for food, dyes, medicines, and containers (gourds).(gourds).These included chili peppers, tomatoes, avocados, papaya, These included chili peppers, tomatoes, avocados, papaya, guava, 5 kinds of squash, gourds, and beans.guava, 5 kinds of squash, gourds, and beans.Pumpkins were originally grown for their seeds until Pumpkins were originally grown for their seeds until cultivation changed their bitter flesh into a sweet variety.cultivation changed their bitter flesh into a sweet variety.


Why was Development Delayed?Why was Development Delayed?Lack of suitable animals for domestication.Lack of suitable animals for domestication.

No sheep, goats, or cattle.No sheep, goats, or cattle.Hunting animals remained a vital activity.Hunting animals remained a vital activity.

Maize was originally a very Maize was originally a very small grain. small grain.

No bigger than a human thumb. No bigger than a human thumb. For at least 2000 years maize was For at least 2000 years maize was chewed rather than ground.chewed rather than ground.

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The Development of MaizeThe Development of MaizeIt is difficult to It is difficult to cross maize with cross maize with other wild grasses.other wild grasses.Not until 2000 BCE Not until 2000 BCE were bigger were bigger varieties developed.varieties developed.

Maize cob sizes at roughly thousand-year intervals starting in 5000 BCE.


Why was Development Delayed, Why was Development Delayed, contd. contd.

For a long time, it was more economical to For a long time, it was more economical to gather food than to grow it in Mesoamerica.gather food than to grow it in Mesoamerica.Only around 2000 BC was productivity great Only around 2000 BC was productivity great enough to support village life.enough to support village life.Hence complex societies began to develop Hence complex societies began to develop 4000 years later in the new world.4000 years later in the new world.

When Europeans arrived in XVI they found a When Europeans arrived in XVI they found a society comparable to Mesopotamia in 2000 BCE.society comparable to Mesopotamia in 2000 BCE.


Importance of AgricultureImportance of Agriculture

Agriculture was the most fundamental change Agriculture was the most fundamental change in human history.in human history.

Settled societies for the first time.Settled societies for the first time.No longer egalitarian.No longer egalitarian.

Specialization within society.Specialization within society.Emergence of elites: religious, political, military.Emergence of elites: religious, political, military.

The state had the power to direct society.The state had the power to direct society.Root cause: Root cause:

Ownership of food. Ownership of food. Concept of property.Concept of property.

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The Surplus The Surplus

Though agriculture Though agriculture takes a greater effort, takes a greater effort, the output of food is the output of food is much higher, leading much higher, leading to a surplus.to a surplus.

A surplus can be A surplus can be used to support used to support individuals not individuals not engaged in food engaged in food production.production. Ancient Egyptian surplus grain being collected

and stored in large urns. From a tomb mural.


The Surplus as the Key to The Surplus as the Key to CivilizationCivilization

Human history since agriculture has been Human history since agriculture has been about the acquisition and distribution of about the acquisition and distribution of surplus food and its uses.surplus food and its uses.

Rising populations placed greater strain on food Rising populations placed greater strain on food production.production.This required a form of government that could This required a form of government that could support infrastructure for more intensive farming.support infrastructure for more intensive farming.


InfrastructureInfrastructure

Example of infrastructure:. Irrigation. Pictured are Example of infrastructure:. Irrigation. Pictured are shadoofsshadoofs –– devices to lift water from a river to an devices to lift water from a river to an irrigation trench. irrigation trench. A carving from Nineveh.A carving from Nineveh.

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Social Hierarchies Social Hierarchies

The priest class were at The priest class were at top of the elite.top of the elite.

They controlled They controlled production and production and distribution to the entire distribution to the entire community.community.


The Centre of Urban Life: The Centre of Urban Life: The Temple The Temple

UrukUruk in Mesopotamia. in Mesopotamia. The temple was 225 feet long, 200 feet wide, 40 feet high. The temple was 225 feet long, 200 feet wide, 40 feet high. Regularly rebuilt, it required huge amounts of Regularly rebuilt, it required huge amounts of labourlabour..

The ruins of the The ruins of the Ziggurat, or Ziggurat, or Temple, at Temple, at UrukUruk..


UrukUruk

By 3500 BC By 3500 BC UrukUruk was a substantial center with only small was a substantial center with only small settlements around it.settlements around it.By 3000 it had a population of 50,000, and settlements around By 3000 it had a population of 50,000, and settlements around had fallen from 146 to 24.had fallen from 146 to 24.

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Sumer Sumer

By 3000 BCE By 3000 BCE southern southern Mesopotamia had Mesopotamia had become the land of become the land of Sumer.Sumer.

Sumer was Sumer was dominated by 8 dominated by 8 cities.cities.


Organization of Sumerian Society Organization of Sumerian Society

Organization in cities was largely concerned Organization in cities was largely concerned with managing the food supply:with managing the food supply:

Transportation, storage, reTransportation, storage, re--allocation.allocation.The advance of society depended on greater The advance of society depended on greater surpluses.surpluses.

More surpluses allowed more people to work More surpluses allowed more people to work outside farming.outside farming.


Organization of Sumerian Society, 2 Organization of Sumerian Society, 2 Concept of property:Concept of property:

Who owned the land, the food, the draught animals Who owned the land, the food, the draught animals were now questions that arose.were now questions that arose.In early settlements, the temple seemed to own In early settlements, the temple seemed to own everything.everything.

E.g. in the temple at E.g. in the temple at ShuruppakShuruppak, the temple records , the temple records accounted for 9,660 donkeys.accounted for 9,660 donkeys.

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Organization of Sumerian Society, 3 Organization of Sumerian Society, 3 Class structure emerged, in ascending order:Class structure emerged, in ascending order:

SlavesSlavesPeasantsPeasantsCraftsmenCraftsmenAdministrative, religious & military eliteAdministrative, religious & military elite


Organization of Sumerian Society, 4 Organization of Sumerian Society, 4 Rivalry led to military conflict. Rivalry led to military conflict.

The new importance of warfare and defense led to The new importance of warfare and defense led to greater internal control.greater internal control.

By 2500 BCE, land was owned by private By 2500 BCE, land was owned by private individuals with large estates.individuals with large estates.Later, in the Babylonian empire (1800 BCE), Later, in the Babylonian empire (1800 BCE), there were legally separate classes of nobles, there were legally separate classes of nobles, commoners, and slaves.commoners, and slaves.


Technological Advances Technological Advances

Smelting of copper by 6000 BCE.

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Technological advances, 2 Technological advances, 2

Wheel used for making pottery 4500 BCE.


Technological advances, 3Technological advances, 3

Wheel adapted for vehicles.All these advances required specialists who had to be fed by others.


Writing Writing

Needed to keep Needed to keep accounts in the temples.accounts in the temples.

First baked tablets with a First baked tablets with a fully developed script fully developed script from from UrukUruk..85% of the 4000 tablets 85% of the 4000 tablets deal with economic deal with economic matters.matters.Illustrates overwhelming Illustrates overwhelming importance of centralized importance of centralized accounts.accounts.

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Egypt Egypt The Nile valley took over The Nile valley took over the agricultural system of the agricultural system of the Near East and adapted it. the Near East and adapted it.

This area had been occupied This area had been occupied for 20,000 years before by for 20,000 years before by hunting and gathering groups. hunting and gathering groups. Agriculture based on sheep, Agriculture based on sheep, cattle and emmer was well cattle and emmer was well established for hundreds of established for hundreds of years before farmers moved years before farmers moved into the Nile valley.into the Nile valley.


““Gift of the NileGift of the Nile””The annual flood came at The annual flood came at right time of year.right time of year.

It was an easier environment It was an easier environment than Mesopotamia.than Mesopotamia.Hence large cities did not Hence large cities did not emerge (less need for emerge (less need for management).management).

Two great cities were Two great cities were Memphis and Memphis and KarnakKarnak--Luxor. Luxor.

They were local markets and They were local markets and residences of officials rather residences of officials rather than populous cities.than populous cities.


Indus Valley Indus Valley

Settled by farmers moving east from SW Asia about 3500 BCE.Settled by farmers moving east from SW Asia about 3500 BCE.Highly stratified society emerged to manage the food surplus.Highly stratified society emerged to manage the food surplus.

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ChinaChinaSlower process Slower process than in than in Mesopotamia,. Mesopotamia,. Egypt and the Egypt and the Indus valley.Indus valley.

Due perhaps to Due perhaps to slow slow development of development of irrigation irrigation system.system. A Seed Drill. In China hundreds of years before

being introduced in the West.


JapanJapanDeveloped very late in world terms.Developed very late in world terms.

Dependent on developments in China.Dependent on developments in China.Began farming about 1400 BC.Began farming about 1400 BC.Scope of farming limited because Scope of farming limited because ¾¾ of land unsuitable.of land unsuitable.SwiddenSwidden system.system.Kept population low.Kept population low.Fish a major part of diet.Fish a major part of diet.Only when rice became the main basis of subsistence was Only when rice became the main basis of subsistence was there substantially higher food production.there substantially higher food production.


Americas Americas

Settled communities did not emerge until Settled communities did not emerge until 2000 BCE, due to difficulties in developing 2000 BCE, due to difficulties in developing better maize.better maize.

Lacked animals for domestication. Lacked animals for domestication. Wheel not developed because no animals to pull Wheel not developed because no animals to pull carts.carts.

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Americas, 2Americas, 2

When better maize developed and food When better maize developed and food production soared (and population too) large production soared (and population too) large ceremonial centers developed (in Mexico).ceremonial centers developed (in Mexico).

Required vast amount of human Required vast amount of human labourlabour. . Huge increase in social complexity and Huge increase in social complexity and organization in the organization in the ““Classic periodClassic period”” from 300from 300--900 900 AD (when length of corn cob doubled).AD (when length of corn cob doubled).


Americas, 3Americas, 3

Centre was Teotihuacan. In the valley of Mexico, the Centre was Teotihuacan. In the valley of Mexico, the population 100,000. population 100,000.

Had enormous pyramids & plazas. Had enormous pyramids & plazas. An immense central power and a rigidly organized society.An immense central power and a rigidly organized society.Empire collapsed about 700 AD. Empire collapsed about 700 AD.

Replaced by the military empire of the Replaced by the military empire of the ToltecsToltecs. And then by the Aztecs, . And then by the Aztecs, capital in Tenochtitlan (Mexico City).capital in Tenochtitlan (Mexico City).


Hawaii Hawaii

These islands were settled comparatively late, These islands were settled comparatively late, so their societies were at a comparatively so their societies were at a comparatively earlier stage when first visited by Europeans.earlier stage when first visited by Europeans.

First settled about 500 AD by Polynesians. First settled about 500 AD by Polynesians. Probably no more than 50 original settlers.Probably no more than 50 original settlers.Brought with them the social structure of Brought with them the social structure of Polynesia: hereditary chiefs, religious rituals. This Polynesia: hereditary chiefs, religious rituals. This changed as population rose.changed as population rose.

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Hawaii, 2 Hawaii, 2 By 1100 all the islands were settled. Villages By 1100 all the islands were settled. Villages existed and almost all were on the coasts.existed and almost all were on the coasts.

The population was about 20,000. Society was still The population was about 20,000. Society was still simple and simple and unstratifiedunstratified..Then a rapid rise in the population and expansion of Then a rapid rise in the population and expansion of settlement inland occurred.settlement inland occurred.


Hawaii, 3Hawaii, 3By 1400, all available land had been taken up.By 1400, all available land had been taken up.

This produced major social problems.This produced major social problems.Previously conflicts were averted by younger sons of Previously conflicts were averted by younger sons of chiefs splitting off and setting up their own groups in chiefs splitting off and setting up their own groups in another location.another location.This was no longer possible. Revolts resulted.This was no longer possible. Revolts resulted.These conflicts were These conflicts were cxacerbatedcxacerbated by crop failures as by crop failures as more and more marginal land had to be used.more and more marginal land had to be used.

Population rose to 300,000 by end of the 18Population rose to 300,000 by end of the 18thth

century.century.


Hawaiian Solution to Population Hawaiian Solution to Population Problem Problem

Individual chiefdoms replaced by a single ruler on Individual chiefdoms replaced by a single ruler on each island.each island.

These big chiefs drew away from rest of society (married These big chiefs drew away from rest of society (married only into families of other chiefs).only into families of other chiefs).Enforced tribute to themselves (rather than to the gods).Enforced tribute to themselves (rather than to the gods).Took over commonly held land. Turned the peasants into Took over commonly held land. Turned the peasants into tenants.tenants.Growing interGrowing inter--island warfare until 1795, when islands were island warfare until 1795, when islands were conquered and united under a single ruler.conquered and united under a single ruler.

Not long afterwards the society began to disintegrate with arrivNot long afterwards the society began to disintegrate with arrival of al of Europeans.Europeans.

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Same story all over the world Same story all over the world Surplus food fed religious and political elite and Surplus food fed religious and political elite and craftsmen.craftsmen.Redistribution of surplus required extensive control Redistribution of surplus required extensive control mechanisms.mechanisms.Led to powerful central institutions.Led to powerful central institutions.Became selfBecame self--reinforcing as elites grabbed more and reinforcing as elites grabbed more and more power.more power.

Imposed discipline with enforced Imposed discipline with enforced labourlabour for social projects for social projects and then in armies.and then in armies.

Egalitarian societies replaced by class structures and Egalitarian societies replaced by class structures and huge differences in wealth.huge differences in wealth.


Two Great Consequences of Two Great Consequences of Agriculture for SocietyAgriculture for Society

CivilizationCivilizationArt, architectureArt, architectureWriting, culture in generalWriting, culture in generalPhilosophy and scientific knowledgePhilosophy and scientific knowledgeAll the great achievementsAll the great achievements

CoercionCoercionDictatorshipsDictatorshipsWarfareWarfareForced Forced labourlabour

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