Question

part 2: short - answer (choose 1)
instructions: answer one of the following questions in a large paragraph with complete sentences and proper grammar. you will be graded on your ability to write in a coherent and argumentative manner. your answer should still have a beginning, middle, and an end. tell a story! use your notes for support. be sure to include every specific detail and example you may have for full credit. make sure to include your own critical thinking thoughts in the sentence right after your detail or example.

1. compare the planning of harappan cities to the cities of mesopotamia. what made harappan cities advanced?
2. how did the mandate of heaven justify zhou rule, and how was it similar or different from divine authority in mesopotamia or egypt?
3. compare chinese writing to harappan and mesopotamian writing. how did writing unify or limit the civilization?
4. how did technology, such as plumbing, improve the lives of harappan people?
5. analyze why the indus valley civilization eventually declined. include environmental and social factors.
6. how did rivers in mesopotamia and egypt support agriculture and trade?
7. explain how writing helped unify mesopotamia. compare it to china’s written language.
8. analyze how religion influenced daily life and government in mesopotamia or egypt.

Explanation:

These questions pertain to historical comparisons and analyses of ancient civilizations such as Harappan, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Chinese. They require knowledge - based answers on topics like urban planning, justifications of rule, writing systems, technological impacts, and the influence of religion and geography on societies.

Answer:

1. To compare the planning of Harappan cities to those of Mesopotamia, Harappan cities were known for their grid - like street patterns, advanced drainage systems, and standardized brick sizes. In contrast, Mesopotamian cities had more irregular layouts. Harappan urban planning was more systematic, which made it advanced in terms of infrastructure and organization.
2. The Mandate of Heaven justified Zhou rule by stating that the Zhou kings were chosen by heaven to rule as long as they governed with virtue. It was different from divine authority in Mesopotamia or Egypt as in those regions, rulers were often considered gods themselves or directly related to the gods, while in Zhou China, the connection was more about a moral - based mandate from a non - anthropomorphic heaven.
3. Chinese writing was a logographic system. Harappan writing remains undeciphered but seems to be a distinct script. Mesopotamian cuneiform was one of the earliest writing systems. Writing unified civilizations by allowing for long - distance communication, record - keeping, and the spread of knowledge. In China, it also played a role in cultural unity over a large territory. However, it could limit civilizations if the script was too complex for the general population to learn.
4. Plumbing technology in Harappan cities, such as well - constructed bathrooms and sewage systems, improved the lives of people by providing better sanitation. This reduced the spread of diseases and contributed to a higher quality of life in urban areas.
5. The Indus Valley civilization declined due to environmental factors like river course changes that affected agriculture and water supply, and social factors such as possible invasions or internal social unrest.
6. Rivers in Mesopotamia (Tigris and Euphrates) and Egypt (Nile) supported agriculture by providing water for irrigation and fertile soil through annual floods. They also facilitated trade by serving as transportation routes.
7. Writing in Mesopotamia, such as cuneiform, helped unify the region by allowing for communication between different city - states and the spread of laws and cultural ideas. Compared to China's written language, which also unified a large area over time, Mesopotamian writing was more focused on administrative and commercial records initially.
8. Religion in Mesopotamia and Egypt influenced daily life through religious festivals, temple - centered economies, and the belief in an afterlife that shaped burial practices. In government, rulers were often seen as having a religious role, and religious institutions had significant power and influence over policies and decision - making.