Ask a New Question
Menu

Influential Civilization Worksheet

Review your timeline carefully as you complete all parts of the worksheet.
Part 1
Write a short answer response to both questions for the first civilization you
studied. Responses should be 3–4 sentences.
Civilization #1:
1. Describe major innovations, advancements, achievements, or cultural
practices of this civilization.
2. How did these advancements or practices affect the development and growth
of the civilization? How did they affect the other civilization you selected?
Part 2
Write a short answer response to both questions for the second civilization you
studied. Responses should be 3–4 sentences.
Civilization #2:
1. Describe major innovations, advancements, achievements, or cultural
practices of this civilization.
2. How did these advancements or practices affect the development and growth
of the civilization? How did they affect the other civilization you selected?
© 2018 Pearson Online & Blended Learning K–12 USA. All rights reserved.

Part 3
If your civilizations had contact with each other:
Write a summary about how advancements or practices of one civilization
influenced the other civilization. Your summary should be about a paragraph in
length.
As you write your summary, use the following questions as a guide. Note, you
do not need to answer every question.
• How did the development of one culture influence or impact advancements or
development of the other culture?
• How did factors such as trade or migration affect the spread of cultural
practices or ideas?
• In what ways were cultural practices of one civilization adapted or adopted
by another civilization?
If your civilizations did not have contact with each other:
Write a summary about how the advancements or practices of each civilization were
similar and different. Your summary should be about a paragraph in length.
As you write your summary, use the following questions as a guide. Note, you do
not need to answer every question.
• Did these two cultures develop any technologies that were similar to each
other?
• Is there anything that these cultures did that was very different from each
other?
• Is there something that developed in one culture that would have solved a
problem for the other?

1 answer

Certainly! Below is a completed Influential Civilization Worksheet using ancient civilizations as examples.

Part 1
Civilization #1: Ancient Egypt

  1. Ancient Egypt was renowned for its monumental architecture, including the pyramids and temples, as well as its advanced understanding of mathematics and astronomy. The Egyptians made significant advancements in medicine, creating surgical techniques and medicinal practices, and developed a form of writing known as hieroglyphics, which was crucial for record-keeping and cultural expression.
  2. These innovations played a pivotal role in the growth of Ancient Egypt, enabling the construction of vast edifices that showcased their power and religious beliefs, which in turn attracted trade and tourism. The advancements in medicine improved the overall health of the population, which helped sustain a strong labor force. Furthermore, the writing system influenced neighboring civilizations, as it allowed for more sophisticated administration and record-keeping.

Part 2
Civilization #2: Ancient Mesopotamia

  1. Ancient Mesopotamia is often credited with several significant inventions, such as the wheel, cuneiform writing, and advancements in irrigation technology. The establishment of legal codes, such as Hammurabi's Code, was a notable achievement, as it laid the groundwork for justice systems. Additionally, their organized city-states demonstrated advancements in governance and societal structure.
  2. The innovations in Mesopotamia were integral to its development, allowing for improved agricultural practices that supported population growth and urbanization. The introduction of cuneiform writing facilitated complex record-keeping, trade, and governance, positively affecting their economy. Mesopotamian advancements in law and governance influenced neighboring cultures, including those of the Egyptians.

Part 3
While Ancient Egypt and Ancient Mesopotamia were geographically close, their advancements showcased both similarities and differences. Both civilizations developed writing systems—Egypt with hieroglyphics and Mesopotamia with cuneiform—which allowed for improved communication, record-keeping, and administration. They also made strides in agriculture, with Mesopotamia innovating irrigation and Egypt relying on the annual flooding of the Nile. However, their cultural practices varied; for instance, Egypt was deeply intertwined with its religious practices surrounding the afterlife, leading to monumental burial structures, while Mesopotamia focused more on city-states governed by law codes. These differences in religious emphasis and governance illustrate how each civilization addressed their unique challenges and societal needs.

Feel free to modify any parts of this template to align with the specific civilizations you wish to discuss!