Foragers Dbq

The era of foragers began about 250,000 years ago. No written evidence of this era makes it difficult for historians to study. It was the first and longest era of human history. They searched and hunted for food and other necessities. Foragers only took from the land what was necessary to survive. They had no need for material possessions. Small numbers of humans were scattered over large ranges of land. Having small communities isolated them from epidemics but they had a low population growth rate.

Some characteristics make us different from other species including: walking on two legs, usage of tools, hunting systematically, development of brains, and using symbolic languages. Using communication shares knowledge that helps humans adapt to their environment and expand their knowledge in

general. Change occurred so slowly that one person could hardly notice it in a lifetime. As the population slowly grew humans began to migrate. Settling outside of Africa began approximately 100,000 years ago. Their technologies became more extensive and there were large numbers of extinction of animals as humans began to migrate.
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The agrarian era began 10,000-11,000 years ago when the first agricultural communities appeared.

Agriculture changed communities in scale and complexity. Affluent foragers use more resources in a given area using better designed tools than traditional foragers. Humans domesticated themselves and other species.

More semisedentary communities appeared toward the end of the last ice age. Semisedentary means they lived in one place most of the year. Productive climates and increasing population helped foragers to settle down. As communities became sedentary, limiting population wasn’t necessary. As the population grows agriculture becomes more important.

Technologies such as irrigation became an important tool in farming. Techniques like trading and writing began and created a more complex division of labor. Writing helped keep track of wealth and storage.

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The modern era began about 250 years ago. It is the most turbulent of the eras. About 20% of all humanity may have lived during this period. The population increased from 770 million to 6 billion in 250 years. As cities became more populated, villages died out. Most people started working outside of

farms.

This era is also the most interconnected. Messages can cross the world instantaneously, which helps spread more ideas. Goods can be transported in just a few hours or days.

The Industrial Revolution was the intro to and spread of agricultural techniques, efficient machines for spinning and processing cotton, steam engines, and locomotives. The Contemporary Period (1945-now) is the most rapid economic growth in world history.
In the late 20th century population growth slowed down. Urbanization increased education and improved services. Smaller families cost more than before. The death of peasantry led to modernity.

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