Agriculture

Definition

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising animals for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain and enhance human life. This practice has been fundamental to the development of complex societies, allowing communities to settle, thrive, and build civilizations by providing a stable food supply and enabling population growth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Agriculture first emerged around 10,000 years ago during the Neolithic Revolution, when humans transitioned from nomadic lifestyles to settled farming communities.
2. The Indus Valley civilization developed advanced agricultural techniques including irrigation systems and crop rotation, which supported their large urban centers.
3. Mesoamerican civilizations utilized a method called 'slash-and-burn' agriculture, which involved clearing forested land to create fields for planting crops like maize, beans, and squash.
4. Both regions made use of domesticated animals, such as cattle in the Indus Valley and llamas in Mesoamerica, to assist in farming and transportation.
5. Agricultural surplus allowed both civilizations to develop trade networks and support specialized labor, leading to advancements in arts, sciences, and governance.

Review Questions

• How did agriculture influence the social structure of early civilizations?
  • Agriculture significantly impacted the social structure of early civilizations by creating a stable food supply that allowed populations to grow. With more people settling down, social hierarchies began to emerge as individuals took on specialized roles beyond farming. This led to the development of classes within society, including rulers, artisans, and laborers, fostering a more complex social organization than that seen in nomadic groups.
• Discuss the innovations in agricultural practices that contributed to the success of the Indus Valley civilization.
  • The Indus Valley civilization is known for its advanced agricultural practices that included sophisticated irrigation systems and crop rotation techniques. They constructed canals and reservoirs that allowed them to harness water from rivers effectively, ensuring their crops received adequate hydration even during dry periods. Additionally, the careful management of their agricultural output led to surplus production, which was critical for trade and the growth of urban centers within the civilization.
• Evaluate the impact of agricultural practices on trade and economy in Mesoamerican civilizations.
  • Agricultural practices greatly influenced trade and economy in Mesoamerican civilizations by creating surpluses of staple crops like maize and beans. This surplus enabled these societies to engage in extensive trade networks both locally and regionally. The ability to produce more than what was needed for subsistence allowed for specialization in crafts and goods, leading to economic diversification. As a result, trade became a vital aspect of their culture and economy, connecting various communities and facilitating cultural exchange.

Related terms

Irrigation: The artificial application of water to soil or land to assist in growing crops, especially in areas with insufficient rainfall.

Domestication: The process of adapting wild plants and animals for human use, which includes selective breeding for desirable traits.

Subsistence Farming: A type of agriculture where farmers grow food primarily for their own consumption rather than for sale.